I don’t remember a time in my life before my love affair with pastries began. There was no significant moment where I remember eating my first apricot Danish or almond croissant but it forever changed my perspective on baking. The delicate richness paired with a crunch on every layer felt more exquisite when doused in pastry cream and fruit. The plum Danish will forever be a favourite of mine. Similar to that of an apricot Danish, but with a winter spice melancholy that leaves you feening for a mug of mulled wine. One would argue that this sort of culinary genius should be harder to make and it definitely has a reputation for being challenging, but today, we are turning the leaf on puff pastry. I will forever have store-bought puff pastry in my freezer at all times for any emergency but the comparison is something like homemade bread – the initial satisfaction is the same, but it won’t leave your house smelling like a warm cuddle.
Puff pastry begins with flour, butter, water and a concept called laminations. There is a rough puff version that is specifically catered towards sausage rolls and pies, but I like to take the time and attention for the full puff pastry when working with delicate Danishes. The basis is, you are laminating layers and layers of butter in between layers and layers of flour – leaving you with wafer-thin pastry sheets that puff up ever so delicately, providing full mouth satisfaction. Though a few small scraps might fall from the corners of your mouth as you crunch down on its flakey goodness, I can promise you that there will never be any leftovers.
The most important thing when making puff pastry is to always keep it cold. When the layers of butter start to melt and fold into the flour, that’s when you will lose the puff – and it can be hard to come back from. The recipe below provides the most indulgent pastry experience but does require a little pre-planning. This is something I would start 3 days before required – but I promise it will only take about an hour or two of work.
Ingredients
390g all purpose flour
5g of salt – about a pinch
90g unsalted butter (very cold)
210ml water (very cold)
300g unsalted butter (softened)
Method
My preferred method will always be to make this by hand. It allows for a delicate forming of ingredients – but a food processor will save you a lot of time.
Either way, the first step is to sift the flour into a large bowl, and add the salt. Dice the cold butter into small cubes and smoosh into the flour. You don’t want to turn this into shortbread, so don’t take it as far as a bread crumb consistency. Rather, smoosh each butter cube within the flour to incorporate, but its best left ‘chunky.’
If doing by hand, make a well in the center and add all your cold water at once. Using a spatula, slowly drag the flour to the water and mix until fully incorporated. You are looking for a sticky and shaggy dough that still shows the butter pieces spread throughout.
If using a food processor, you are going to see finer pieces of butter spread through your flour. It’s important not to overmix at this point, otherwise, you can lose the light and flaky nature of your pastry. Slowly drizzle in your water. Turn the machine off as soon as the dough forms and nothing is stuck around the sides.
The pastry is now ‘made’ and this is where the laminations occur. Turn your dough out onto a very lightly floured surface – you always want to eyeball how much flour you are adding to your dough as it will increase the gluten content and can make it more stodgy. Knead the dough into a rough ball. Wrap and chill overnight.
Hot Tip: I highly recommend investing in a dough scraper for your baking activities. While commonly used for bread, this tool will take away all the excess flour and butter from your bench, better than any paper towel or bench scrub can do – and without the mess. It is a very inexpensive addition to your kitchen, and I promise you’ll be thanking me later.
Prepare your softened butter by placing it between two sheets of cling film. Roll out with a rolling pin into a rectangle about 12 x 20cm. You want to achieve roughly similar consistency between the butter and the dough. If you find your dough is going to be harder than your butter, leave it out on the bench to freshen while you prepare the butter rectangle.
Next, roll out your dough onto a lightly floured bench top. You want to have one long rectangle here. Shake off any excess flour.
Remove the cling film and place the butter rectangle in the center of your dough rectangle. Fold the dough on top of the butter, enclosing it completely. None of the butter should be exposed.
Continue to roll it out and then fold the dough in thirds, like a business letter. Rotate the dough so it is now longer in length than width and roll out again. This is the process of laminations – folding the butter in between the pastry.
Wrap and put back in the fridge for 30 minutes. Every 30 minutes, remove the pastry from the fridge, roll out again, and fold back into a business letter shape.
Rotate, roll slightly, and refrigerate. You want to complete this process 5 times. Once all the laminations are complete, cover the dough and chill overnight before using. Bake as required.
Though this process may feel long and windy, it is extremely simple to do while cooking other meals. I simply roll out, fold like a business card, roll out and fold again, place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes and continue working on other tasks. It is this lengthy process that gives puff pastry the reputation for being extremely challenging, but working with cold butter and a handy dough scraper will make this process fairly painless.
We’re all likely victims of a random work-day slump where even the smallest of tasks seems like the most impossible feat. It may manifest in any shape or form as any worry or feeling of unrest can put you in a mentally disassociated state where you find yourself making mistakes at work, forgetting to attach that document to the email, sending an email to the wrong person, forgetting deadlines, or just struggling to even read through to the end of an email.
As a lawyer, no two work days for me are the same, working in a professional environment which prides itself on quick turnarounds and meeting unrealistic client expectations. As a professional in a high stress environment who is constantly expected to meet tight deadlines, I sought out a way to optimise my focus and productivity. Particularly during those inevitable times where my cognitive function seems to decline.
Amassing the knowledge I’ve gained from various sources such as the New York Times, publishings from Harvard Health, and other reputable psychologists, here are my top 5 science backed lifestyle changes (tried and tested by me!) that will help you feel on your A-Game.
Do Some Physical Exercise
This may seem extremely obvious but you’ll be shocked at the amount of people who sit in front of a screen all day and barely move.
I’ve put this as my first tip because this is, in my opinion, the most important lifestyle you can make to increase mental clarity and focus.
Research over decades and decades has proved a direct correlation between cognitive power and physical exercise.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have recently discovered significantly more evidence that physical activity is beneficial for brain health and keeps you in a constant feel-good state of mind due to the release of endorphins. Exercise promotes neurogenesis, which is the growth of new brain cells so that coupled with the fact that endorphins neutralise your anxiety and depression receptors will make you feel in a more stable state of play throughout your day. The same research has also proven that it prevents a rapid rate of cognitive decline and brain ageing, and protects you from developing neurodegenerative diseases.
For me, I do a morning workout before work to feel alert and sharp, and after eating my lunch I’ll try to go for a 10-15 minute walk to stimulate movement and avoid a post-lunch work slump.
Improve Your Quality of Sleep
Now, I know this may also go without saying and seem counter-intuitive, but sleep is definitely a significantly overlooked factor of good health.
Sleep is actually quite complex when broken down and consists of multiple cycles, but essentially it is the state in which our body is relaxed. While we sleep, our body is in a state of recovery. Our body temperatures decrease, our eye movements stop and our heart rates drop. Essentially, it is the time that repairs and refreshes us.
The hours we spend asleep has a direct correlation to our mental efficiency, memory power, and the ability to think quickly and alertly. More than that, research from Brown University has actually shown that sleeping is a state in which our brain can consolidate information, and being asleep aids locking in what you may have learned earlier that day.
Taking active steps to try to get between 7-9 hours of sleep a night and monitoring your sleep patterns are a great way to better understand how much sleep you’re actually getting. Ever since I’ve started tracking my sleep using my smart watch, I’ve realised a direct correlation between my nights with lesser sleep has had on my attention span, concentration and problem-solving abilities.
Create a wind-down process that helps you get to sleep at a specific time and stick with this routine. It’s also important to avoid aimless scrolling on your phone which may keep you up far later.
Actively Procrastinate
Active procrastination is where you postpone a task or action in favour of another task which is also important and needs to be completed with a similar deadline. Not to be confused with chronic procrastination which is just putting off whatever you have to do with distraction, but active procrastination is actually just doing something else productive.
Research from the Journal of Social Psychology Volume 145, 2005 has also shown that active procrastination actually fuels creativity and that people who practice active procrastination actually have higher self efficacy, are less stressed and as a result do better quality work.
Working a high stress job as a full time corporate lawyer, my fail-safe trick is to substitute in something else I need to do; I always start with my least favourite, knowing when I need a break, I can substitute it out to the task I’m more interested in. Switching in and out of a task is helpful because going back to something later with a set of fresh eyes can also help you think clearly.
Take a Tea Break
This doesn’t literally mean go make a tea, but it just means the duration of the break should be short enough that you can go get a snack or stretch your limbs but not long enough that you lose focus or your attention span. For me, when I hit a wall, the first thing I do is make myself a peppermint or green tea. Just getting up, walking to the kettle and making tea is a change in scenery and a breath of fresh air. Research from Cornell shows that taking purposeful and minimal breaks has a direct correlation to increasing both your energy and your productivity. Scrolling on social media is not a purposeful break! Other things that may constitute a purposeful break are taking a 5-10 minute walk, taking a shower, re-organising your workspace, getting a snack, or even just stretching.
Physically Move into a Different Space
Research from Psychology Today has shown that the brain picks up environmental cues and relates surroundings with a specific behaviour; you know what needs to happen in the toilet or the kitchen. Just like that, when you’re at work you can fall victim to the brain’s inherent knowledge and predictability. That’s why some days can just feel completely unproductive.
If I’m at work at my desk, I may move into one of the focus rooms or the quiet rooms when I feel my attention span faltering, or even into the kitchen. If I’m working from home I might move from my desk to the table downstairs, outside or even into a cafe close by. Known as the “coffee-shop effect” , research has proven that moving and changing up the location tricks your brain into thinking it is doing something different and I get a sudden burst of energy.
We fall victim to routine at times, which is why even having one day of working from home and the rest in the office can feel like breaking the cycles of predictability.
Hopefully these tips can help you feel like you’ve hit your peak productivity!
Consistently engaging in hobbies is crucial to human growth as they quite literally enrich our lives. Opting to introduce a new hobby in your life means you have something to look forward to in your free time. It’ll be something that is both stimulating and rewarding. Not to mention, something to focus on beyond the 9-5.
Like many of us, after the stress cloud of the pandemic, the lust for trying something new somewhat diminished. Haven’t we been doing the same ol’ thing for long enough? Adopting a new self-care outlet allows us to focus on something other than our daily pressures. Feeling stressed seven days a week is not the energy I am taking into this final quarter of 2022. Finding a purpose that isn’t my career has been my biggest eye-opener. So today, I have compiled a directory of outlets you may want to embark on if you understand my drift. Slumming it on the couch in hopes of recovering from a hectic week will only leave you on Monday with the same delightful dread you started that week with. Weekends need to work for you. Hence the emphasis on some cup-filling activities that you can harness for more energy and purpose in your life.
Workshops, classes, and experiences open doors to share with your people. Getting handsy with clay or picking up a paintbrush may be the calling if you need something to build confidence and self-assurance. Subsequently, keep yourself busy with something you like, or begin to appreciate. You’ll be less inclined to waste time on unproductiveness ruling your weekends or letting that feeling of stress take over your time.
Drawing Attention Class with Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing
Under Amanda’s expert guidance, you will set your hand to paper. Exploring how making marks can foster self-awareness, harness a sense of determination, and free the mind from fixed ideas. Consider this a healing class through art but with a lot of play and fulfilment.
These classes fill up fast and happen now and then, so you will need to express interest and book in advance.
Brown School of Art
You can join Brown at any skill level, and they host day and evening part-time courses. Enabling resident artists to learn, explore and expand their visual thinking – it’s the perfect entry point for anyone contemplating a connection, or re-connection, with their creativeness. The classes are enjoyable, informative, stimulating, and held in a relaxed, friendly, and mutually supportive studio environment.
Blush Flowers Workshop
Hand-Tied Bouquet Class
Appreciating the beauty of flowers is something that we can all agree on. If you have ever wanted to know how to care for your flowers, create a bouquet or simply want to surround yourself with them, Blush holds wonderful classes where you can spend the evening making a bunch, enjoy the aromas with a glass of bubbles and have a fabulous time.
The Jewellery Collective
Jewellery speaks to our emotions. It expresses who we are. There is an exceptional bond between the maker and the receiver. All over Auckland Tiktok, people have been sharing their insightful time spent in the workshops. I had a friend take her girlfriend to their beginner class, and the ring she made looked like it was bought from a jeweller.
You can build on an incredible opportunity and unique skill within this space as a member.
Kevin Thorne Jewellery Workshop
This is a slightly pricey workshop if you want to make jewellery a regular thing. I learned about this class through a good friend and bought my boyfriend a private class as an anniversary gift. He was stoked with the lesson and had decent insight for taking his jewellery-making to the next level at home. No jewellery-making experience is needed. Kevin will guide you through the process.
The Clay Centre’s Coffee & Clay Workshop
Every Saturday morning, the Clay Collective in Ellerslie hosts relaxed entry-level pottery classes.
Perfect for heading along solo or bringing a friend along for some fun. An energising and exciting way to start your weekend and something that you may become addicted to. They even do wine and pottery on Fridays, so a real win for anyone keen to combine a hobby with a cheeky bevvy or two.
Make Your Own Perfume
Ever thought about making your own perfume? Perfume Playground hosts 2-hour introductory classes to create your own natural bottled scent. In their Classic Club and Masterclass workshops, you’ll learn about the secrets of scent design before embarking on an exploration of discovery and play – guided by your scent memories.
Through specialist blending techniques using our extensive collection of naturally derived top, middle and base notes, you’ll discover the art of scent design in a playful and explorative way. There are classes held in Auckland, Wellington and Melbourne every month.
Tufting Lab NZ
Tufting is the art of making rugs. You know the super cute colourful shapes and graphics all over Instagram at the moment? You can make one by yourself at the Tufting Lab on Symonds Street. They’ll help you learn the ropes, and then you can spend as many hours as your heart can take creating your very own masterpiece. The Niche Studio in Wellington also offers private workshops for your very own creations. All Things Effy Workshop in Christchurch also teaches and hosts entertaining and wholesome art.
Tired of the same weekend routine? If you’re looking to shake things up a bit this summer, we’ll steer you in the direction of the greatest weekend markets New Zealand has to offer. An excellent market is loved by everyone. We’ve chosen only the most vibrant and best-stocked markets to visit. Sipping iced coffee on the weekend while watching a swarm of happy people who are in the same situation is soup for the soul. Productivity is best served with an armful of fresh produce and scrumptious pastries, so here’s to starting your weekend right!
Catalina Bay Markets, Auckland
Open two days a week, the Catalina Bay Markets in Hobsonville is always buzzing with people and good energy. Fresh farm goods, baked goods, meats, cheeses, eggs, organics, coffee, honey, and even flowers can all be found here. I tend to beeline for the crepes that always have a queue (but for good reason). With my lemon cinnamon sugar in hand, off we go to enjoy live music alongside the picturesque wharf. You’ll meet heaps of dogs as many marketers finish their shop with a short walk along the waterfront. Huge win.
Central Flea Market, Auckland
The Central Flea was founded to honour the urban diversity that makes Balmoral one of Auckland’s cultural hubs, and it draws inspiration from flea markets around the world. Traders in vintage goods and antiques, as well as designers, artists, food trucks, and live music, populate this bustling outdoor market. “At the Central Flea, we feel confident saying that boredom is not an option.” Each stall you meet will be slightly different from the last, and it will always have finds that will make your friends green with envy.
Harbourside, Wellington
Sunday mornings are best spent at the Harbourside of Wellington. Get ready to stock your fridge and freezers with their assortment of deli meats, ready-to-go dumplings, and fresh fruit and veg bursting with colour as you stroll against the windy harbour.
La Cigale, Auckland (it’s back)
After a short covid hiatus, the La Cigale markets of Parnell is back! The very popular market is a treat for anyone involved. You can choose from a wide variety of items made by local artisans and all sorts of imports from around the world. Fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, meats fit for export, smoked Akaroa salmon, salads, flowers, orchids, Italian pasta, salamis and sausages, the list goes on and on. You can expect to smell paella cooking and rotisserie chicken roasting, just like you would at a French market. Get your weekly shopping done with the rest of Auckland!
Matakana Village Market
For Aucklanders wanting an escape from the big smoke or any kiwis heading North to get away, the Matakana Village Market is an absolute must-do. There’s a wide variety of tasty treats to try, from award-winning coffee to scrumptious brunch options. Listen to local musicians as you kick back on the riverbank and let the kids burn off some energy in the natural treehouse and playground.
Matakana Market is proud to be a waste-free zone, so shoppers can fill their baskets or bags to the brim with locally grown fruits, vegetables, breads, deli meats, and sweets without worrying about the mess. Ideal for a weekend at the bach with friends or a gourmet picnic.
Queenstown Market
For the excitement of locals and tourists alike, the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Markets are held in the city’s colourful and lively setting, where visual and performing arts come together. All over the South Island, from as far away as Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, and the West Coast, artists and crafters travel to showcase and sell their unique works. The market takes place every Saturday with some special Friday dates as the summer season approaches. You can see their website here to book this into your wonderful laid-back weekends in QT.
Porirua Saturday Market
Visit the Porirua Market on a Saturday morning to experience a plethora of different foods, sounds, and vibes. Rain or shine, the Waitangirua Mall parking lot hosts clothing stalls, fresh produce and hot food. The market comes alive with music buzzing from all corners. Its infectious energy will kickstart your weekend.
Riccarton Market, Christchurch
Riccarton Market is Christchurch’s biggest market, hosting over 10,000 people every Sunday morning. You can expect good food, great entertainment and many stalls selling all the good bits. You’ll spend hours meandering amongst the sea of stalls that seem embedded into the racecourse. If you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll recognise the unique connection between store holders and their devotion to bringing everyone together for a great time.
Titirangi Village Market, Auckland
Live music and the lush location by the Waitakere Ranges create an exciting ambience. In addition to picking up your week’s supply of fresh produce and a few new outfits, you can also spend some time perusing the stalls selling a wide range of one-of-a-kind handmade goods while sipping on a delicious coffee.
This is dedicated to those who are on the eternal search for the perfect white T-shirt. Both simplistic and practical, the plain ol’ white tee is the perfect foundation for building a stylish look for almost any occasion.
Without fail, if you’re ever having an “I have absolutely nothing to wear” morning, throwing on a crisp white T-shirt will give you that “I’ve made an effort without making too much effort” look. Having a few different options on rotation is key.
It’s the chicest staple in everyone’s wardrobe, yet somehow it’s almost impossible to find the perfect one. So how do you find the best white T-shirt? While it might seem like a simple question, there are quite a few boxes to check, from fit to comfort.
I’ve rounded up some tried and tested favourites (in no particular order) to narrow down your search!
Kowtow Classic Tee
Kowtow Classic Tee, $79
Your go-to everyday T-Shirt. This Kowtow Classic Tee is a workhorse. The 190gsm jersey cotton is fantastic quality and, not only will it wear well, but it will also stand the test of time in your wardrobe. Kowtow is one of the few Fairtrade & sustainable brands offering organic cotton classics.
Maggie Marilyn 01 T-Shirt
Maggie Marilyn 01 T-Shirt, $95
I can’t fault Maggie Marilyn’s 01 Range. Every piece works together, but individually, slides seamlessly into any wardrobe. The 01 T-Shirt’s fluted sleeves are what gives this piece the standout silhouette that is incredibly sophisticated with a feminine touch. The flare sits flat on the arm, and adds interest to a classic outfit.
taylor Groundwork Tee
taylor Groundwork Tee
Sometimes, you need a shirt with a little bit of extra length. The taylor Groundwork Tee’s scooped back is such a flattering shape. You can tuck the front in thanks to the side slits to highlight the waist without compromising the shape. I also love the smaller sleeve shape – it sits nicely on the arm without hugging it.
Camilla and Marc Huntington 3.0 Tshirt
Camilla and Marc Huntington 3.0 Tshirt, $140
C&M reign supreme when it comes to logo t-shirts. Their latest additions, in their new logo and font have got to be my favourite. They are understated enough to be an everyday tee, but also add a nuanced element to your look. With a boyish charm, they pair well with slacks, jeans or mini skirts. Depending on your preference, you can go for the full name, or the iconic C&M logo, in a range of colourways!
Assembly Label Oversized Tee
Assembly Label Oversized Tee, $60
On weekends, or days around the house, I love a relaxed fit t-shirt. This Assembly Label Oversized tee, although boxy, doesn’t completely lose your shape. I usually roll the sleeve up a little bit, to give it a more off-duty look. If you love a street vibe, this one will exude a cool factor. Plus, with the warmer weather, you can pair it with bike shorts and a slicked back bun for a truly effortless off-duty look.
Bassike Classic Vintage T-Shirt
Bassike Classic Vintage T-Shirt, $119
Bassike are long standing champions when it comes to wardrobe basics. It’s unlikely you’d leave without finding something to fit. One of my comforts is the Classic Vintage T-Shirt. It’s a super lightweight cotton, which is perfect for a relaxed weekend vibe, paired with your favourite denim.
Zara Puff Sleeve T-Shirt
Zara Puff Sleeve T-Shirt, $32.90
A staple doesn’t always have to mean understated. If you’re looking to experiment a little, or wanting to add a little drama to a classic outfit, this t-shirt is sure to tick all the boxes! Although Zara cycles through different iterations of their white tee’s, they are sure to always have a great range.
Marle Norton Tee
Marle Norton Tee, $300
Blurring the lines between classic tee and elevated top, a silk option is the ultimate luxury. Designed to skim perfectly over the body and fit like a t-shirt, this is the perfect option for date-night or to wear in a more formal work setting.
When I was 15 I worked weekends and Tuesday nights at the supermarket, and every break I would spend the equivalent of an hour’s pay on my meal, which often included a little container of vanilla custard with a portion of rhubarb in the corner. I’d scoop it out with vanilla biscuits and my love affair with custard and rhubarb began. I’ve been a devotee ever since – the tartness of the rhubarb with the sweet and creamy custard is an absolute delight.
FOR THE CUSTARD
2 cups milk
2 vanilla pods or 2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
3 egg yolks
1 tbsp cornflour
¼ cup caster sugar
Zest of 1 orange (reserve juice)
FOR THE RHUBARB
10 stalks rhubarb
1l3 cup caster sugar
Juice of 1 orange
400g sweet shortcrust pastry
1 egg yolk, beaten
1. To make the custard, put the milk into a medium saucepan, split the vanilla pods and scrape out the seeds, and add the seeds and pods to the pan (or add vanilla extract). Bring just to the boil, then remove immediately from the heat. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, egg yolks, cornflour and sugar together until pale and creamy. Remove the vanilla pods from the milk, and gradually pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.
3. Return the custard mixture to the saucepan, add the orange zest (reserving a little for garnish), and cook gently over a low-medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk until the custard thickens. This may take 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to let the custard boil, as the egg may split. Pour into a jug or bowl and cover with cling film. Refrigerate until you are ready to use.
4. Line a 20 x 30cm tart tin with baking paper. To make the tart, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry into a large rectangle big enough to line the tart tin. Roll the pastry onto the rolling pin and carefully drape it into the tin, lifting and pressing it into the corners and edges. Roll the rolling pin over the edges of the tart tin, cutting off the excess pastry. Chill for 30 minutes or until the pastry is firm.
5. Heat oven to 180°C. Line the pastry with a piece of crumpled baking paper and fill the base with baking beans or rice and “blind” bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the paper and the beans, and return tart to the oven for another 5 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Brush the inside of the tart with the beaten egg yolk and return to the oven for 1 minute to set. This is to create a seal so that the custard doesn’t make the pastry soggy. Set aside.
6. Wash, trim and slice the rhubarb into pieces about 8cm long. Slice them on an angle if you want to create a zig-zag pattern (lay them out in the pattern you want on the tray before cooking, so you know that it’s going to all fit), or just cut them straight if you want the rhubarb to be in straight lines.
7. Cover a baking tray with sides with a sheet of baking paper, place the rhubarb batons on in a single layer and sprinkle over the sugar and orange juice. Roast for 15 minutes, or until the rhubarb has softened but is still holding its shape and a lovely pink syrup has formed. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
8. Remove the custard from the fridge, beat to loosen, then pour the custard over the pastry and smooth with a spatula. Top with the roasted rhubarb, brush or drizzle any of the syrup on top, and sprinkle over some extra orange zest. This is best eaten on the day it’s made.
Christall’s notes
Custard must be cooked low and slow, and stirred constantly until it thickens. If it boils, the eggs may begin to separate, and become the consistency of scrambled eggs. You can use store-bought custard in place of the homemade custard, if you prefer.
Extracted from Kai: Food Stories and Recipes From My Family Table, by Christall Lowe. Photography by Christall Lowe. (David Bateman Ltd, RRP $59.99, available in bookstores November 7).
Recipe developer, entrepreneur, artist, mum and professional photographer Christall Lowe has managed to hit that rare sweet spot of combining all her passions to create something that is not only beautiful, but also honours her whānau.
A self-described “serial entrepreneur”, Christall Lowe (Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Maniapoto) has had an incredibly busy couple of years, but she’s living her dream. She’s just released her first cookbook – and not only did she write all the recipes (aside from a few from her nanas!) – she was also the photographer and did a fair chunk of the design. And she’s the proud mum of three children, the eldest in his teens. Being what sounded to me like a compulsive creative, I was surprised to hear Christall originally wanted to be a doctor.
“I’d given up art to focus on science,” she says. “But in sixth form, I met with the careers advisor and played a vocational card game that led to art and design. The advisor said, to my surprise, that I could study design at Victoria University, and that was that.”
She completed a degree in Interior Design, and her thesis was based around her dream restaurant. “A space that in its entirety ignites all the senses, and encapsulates all of the tikanga, the manaakitanga and the mauri of kai.”
Christall grew up in Feilding, Manawatū, and still lives there with her family. She says her grandfather has supplied their whānau with veges from his māra kai (vege garden, pictured right) for decades, and is grateful to have inherited his green thumbs and knowledge of native plants. And she’s still learning from him. He recently took her to a native plant nursery, which she says was “amazing – it was right here and I had no idea!”
Christall in her grandfather’s māra kai (vege garden).
He’s currently growing hue gourds, which are traditionally hollowed out, dried and used as drinking vessels. She says her family is all about making the most out of everything in life, especially food. “And celebrating the local ingredients all around us!”
Throughout her recipes, Christall peppers in native plants as ingredients. Her favourites, as it turns out, are literally quite peppery. “I love to make kawakawa tea – pick it fresh, crush and steep in hot water, or dry out the leaves and use a tea strainer. It’s got a bit of a kick at the end! I love horopito too. It just smells incredible – it reminds me of Belgian biscuits, and it works wonderfully with ginger – but use it in moderation as it is very spicy, like chilli.” Her all-time favourite native vege is kamokamo, which she loves boiled with a knob of butter melted over it, or diced and pan-fried in butter and salt.
She has also included recipes from both her nanas. “My nana never wrote any of her recipes down. Everything was in her head. I asked her to write down her incredible steamed pudding recipe, took the bit of paper and got to work. It turned out completely wrong! I called Nana and asked her, ‘Is there supposed to be butter in this?’ ‘Yeah, of course!’ she said. ‘Well, how much?’ ‘I dunno, half a block?’ ” Christall laughs. “She had written down everything except the butter. So there was a bit of trial and error.”
Other recipes handed down to Christall include her nana’s hāngī kono and her great nana Alice’s rice pudding. Christall’s personal favourites are her lamb roast with orange and mint sauce, paua and venison meatballs with rosemary syrup, honey roasted yams, her aunty’s fry bread, passionfruit sorbet, and, of course, her nana’s steamed pudding.
She says Kai is deeply personal and intended to honour her whānau, the recipes and knowledge of kai that has been passed down to her. And all their “flavour memories”.
“This book is mine and my whānau’s world of flavour memories,” she says. “I believe flavours can bring back memories unlike anything else. When I make my nana’s steamed pudding I’m right back in her kitchen with the talkback radio playing in the background. I can smell the tea towels. I can feel the velvet of the couch.
“There are so many stories behind family recipes. The photos I took for this book are intended to bring out the essence of my family’s kai, and the stories behind it.”
She hopes readers will be inspired to discover their own flavour memories, and make new ones with their own whānau. “Kai is our life,” she says. “I wanted to restore and uplift the mauri of our whānau after some difficult, grief-filled years. But Kai also celebrates all the good things. This is me and my whānau on a plate. This is our heart.”
Does she have plans for another? “Yes!” she says. “It’s already underway! I won’t say too much, but it will be everyday, easy kai.”
And so, the busy-ness continues. As a creative with many passions and a habit of taking on too much work, I relate all too well. “It’s hard to switch off; I get overwhelmed before I even realise it. But I couldn’t be happier. I’m doing what I should be doing.”
Kai: Food Stories and Recipes From My Family Table by Christall Lowe. (David Bateman Ltd, RRP $59.99, available in bookstores November 7).
The game-changing technologies on a need-to-know basis. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has swept through many industries, posing a threat to established jobs, routines and overall work culture. Through the introduction of technologies. Web tools like Notion improve operational procedures and chatbots embedded in sites to solve customer concerns anytime. As a result, most companies have incorporated technologies to give them a competitive edge.
AI initially did not seem appealing to fashion directors because the fashion industry is built on creative ability and expression. However, now that we’ve entered the hyper-digital age, these applications have the potential to modify everything radically. While the fashion industry has been around for quite some time, AI has profound effects on every aspect of it, from the creation of garments to their marketing and sale.
The Unseen
“Transporting colour-change technology out of the scientific world and onto the streets of London.” – Lauren Bowker, Founder
The Unseen partnered with Selfridges to release a line of high-end items that change hue depending on their surroundings. Each piece, coloured with one of five reactive inks, is intended to react to weather fluctuations. In the collection, scarves, wallets, and a phone case are coated with touch-sensitive formulations that adapt to the wearer’s movements.
Lauren Bowder, the company’s creator, called the visual representation of colour a “global language” and said, “Our accessory line enables people to engage and witness the marvels of our formulae for themselves. We hope that our pieces will become cherished heirlooms, handed down from generation to generation and refined through time to meet the challenges of evolving ecosystems”.
The Fabricant
Fabricant has developed three-dimensional clothing design and animation to provide interactive experiences for brands. Since the garments are never made, this could be a more eco-friendly option for brands of all stripes looking to make a statement without leaving a huge carbon imprint.
Taking this concept further into the 2022 age, The Fabricant Studio has made its mark in the metaverse and is exploring ways to generate NFTs that are customised 3D articles of clothing to add to your wallets.
Dress-X
“DRESSX is the largest fashion multi-brand store of digital collections from well-known brands and 3D designers.” The it-store for those who are plugged into augmented reality, Dress-X sells virtual garments for your social media profile. You may order a “garment” by uploading a picture of yourself, making a payment, and receiving an image of yourself wearing it. No physical product will ever be exchanged for your virtual one, but you can update your look and help the environment all at the same time by shopping online. A wild concept to consider a new normal, but within the creativity-fueled industry, stranger things have happened.
Thesis Couture
A fusion of style and smart engineering.
Thesis is a fashion forward tech company bringing rocket scientists to the clothing table. Combining a former SpaceX employee, orthopedic doctor, mechanical engineer, shoe designer, and show maker to create the most comfortable stilettos in the world.
Intrigued? Traditional high heels are built around a single metal structure with a compressed cardboard insole. The Thesis heel uses a polymer in the heel proven to stop the pain felt under the foot. Reworking the angle of the shoe and platform gives the wearer the feeling that they are wearing something more than an inch lower than it is. This has been a sell-out since its first launch. They’re very hard to get your feet on, but something that will continue to captre the attention of many women globally. Not AI by definition but the technology applied to create this is something well notable.
Trend forecasting
Competitors in the fashion industry are changing their approach to new collections to better anticipate their consumers’ needs. The study of predicting the direction of a market is known as “trend forecasting.” In other words, the field of fashion forecasting is concerned with predicting what consumers will be interested in next season.
By employing robust AI to instantly convert real-world images shared on social media into valuable data, brands can produce more sustainably. A physical fashion forecaster would not have time to review that data before the next season and AI comes in to do the hard lifting. This gives designers more time to be creative, which is an element that will always require the human mind.
We often find it so easy to be selfless and there for other people, but how often do you extend the same courtesies to yourself? We often prioritise the needs and wants of other people before our own. Humans have an inherent people pleasing tendency which we nurture and develop over the years to build our sense of community.
*This is a voiceover created by AI and therefore some of the words or pronunciations may be incorrect. We hope you still enjoy this listening experience.
Self-compassion is the process of actually turning compassion and kindness inwards and is an important part of well-being that often gets neglected. True self-compassion requires prioritising your own needs first, and not sacrificing your own wants, needs, health, social requirements, happiness and any other aspect just to please others.
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
I recently read a book called Self-Compassion: The Proven Power Of Being Kind To Yourself by Kristin Neff. Neff is a PhD professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Texas, and her powerful research explains how simple practices of self-compassion can affect your everyday life and completely transform it. Based on my readings, I will tell you some basic tricks and tips that can help you get started to develop a greater appreciation for yourself and reinforce it through your actions.
Neff defines self-compassion as “being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or flagellating ourselves with self-criticism”.
Neff dives into the notion that how critical we are of ourselves directly stems from our childhood experiences and how critical our parents were of us. Any childhood traumas can manifest in the way our internal dialogue works as we get older. The key lesson from this book for me was that you can start practising self-compassion by thinking about how a friend in the same position may feel. You would likely console them in the face of despair.
Some ways to actively do this is to make a mindful and conscious effort to decrease negative self-talk. If a friend was explaining a failure or a mishap you wouldn’t kick them while they were down, you would try to find the silver-lining and show them why they are still somebody worthy of love and respect. In the same vein, you would likely attempt to re-instil a sense of confidence in them by highlighting their abilities and personal strengths. By thinking about your own strengths you can endeavour to have those very same “hyping” conversations with yourself.
We also need to make an active effort to be kind to ourselves when we make mistakes. It’s a fundamental attribute of human nature to make mistakes; we are fallible creatures. The ability to constructively acknowledge mistakes and utilise stems from your own internal dialogue in the face of a slip-up. By understanding that they happen, not beating yourself up about it and treating it as a learning experience, you’ll also significantly decrease the likelihood of slipping up again!
Prioritising yourself can also be done by making sure you get some physical movement in – this can have you feeling strong and good about yourself too whilst also releasing endorphins that’ll boost your mood.
To sign off, here’s one of my favourite quotes from Neff: “If you are continually judging and criticising yourself while trying to be kind to others, you are drawing artificial boundaries and distractions that only lead to feelings of separation and isolation”.
We’ve all had a few style crushes in our lifetimes. Women who seem to pull the most amazing pieces from their wardrobes, with immaculate taste and style. In this new series Steal Her Style we profile some of those women, borrowing their look in current styles, and classic wardrobe staples. Nadia Fairfaix is by far one of the most stylish women to grace Sydney’s shores. She’s fun, quirky and isn’t afraid of a bit of colour – which is perfect for summer!
Her all frills approach to fashion means her Instagram feed is a trove of inspiration no matter the occasion. Nadia flawlessly curates a mix of high-end pieces with high-street finds, making it a breeze to recreate her looks without completely breaking the bank.
We’ve pulled some of our favourite looks for the season that can easily be recreated.
Outfit 1: Holiday Romance
Vacate the office and hit the beachside pavilion. Nadia’s holiday vibe always hits the spot with floaty looks that easily transition from day to night with a few accessories! We’ve swapped Nadia’s look with the Silk Laundry set, which comes in multiple colour ways to mix and match, paired back with classic accessories.
Summer long lunches are calling. Nadia’s outfit is the perfect way to look pulled together, whilst putting in minimal effort. A classic white trouser is a must in your staples, which have been perfectly accessorised with on-trend pieces like Cue’s Sky Blue Waistcoat.
Preferring instead to make a statement, Nadia is not one to shy away from “dopamine dressing”. As you can see, she gets her amazing style from her mum! Highlighting the perfect mix of orange and yellow, as she wore here at her wedding in Turkey, you’re sure to be a show stopper. Shop Nadia’s exact dress, or swap it out for a mini in a similar colour way for the same impact.
If you’re just starting to branch out into colour, work with neutral anchors to pull focus to your one statement piece! While Nadia’s original pants aren’t available, the brand Tyler McGillivary loves a fun pant!
We are not about that summertime sadness around here. Hot oranges, electric citruses and radiant skin – here we come!
Summer 22/23 is going to be an unforgettable time. Goodbye to the COVID-19 restrictions and hello to the rays of sunshine that we have all been waiting for!
When I think about summer, I have so many joyful, carefree and colourful memories with my friends and family that come to mind – outdoor dinners in your backyard, nights out with the gang, picnics and day long excursions on the beach.
As we prepare for the wild season ahead, we have curated a solstitial line up of the most deluxe beauty, home and fragrance creations. Embody the summer spirit in effortless style, impress your guests with carefully chosen home fragrance pieces and forever store your memories within the redolence of your summer 22/23 perfume.
Laura Mercier: Petal Soft Lipstick Crayon
Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick Crayon, $48
Lips are by far, one of the most effective ways to express yourself and summer calls for bright, bold and dynamic colours.
During this hot and social season, it is imperative to find a lipstick formula that is hydrating, long lasting and easy to reapply. In the era of liquid lipsticks and transfer-proof lip products, Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick Crayon is for people who don’t want to lock themselves to a particular shade or finish.
The formula is a sheer and semi matte texture and comes in all the bright summer shades you can possibly imagine. I love the versatility of this product that allows you to go from day to night within a matter of seconds. You can create a sheer wash of colour with one to two swipes or you can rock the bold lip with three to four.
The Petal Soft Lipstick Crayon is also a great gateway lippie to the world of bright lips!
RMS Beauty: ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush
RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush, $48.
The RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush is the product of the moment. This gel-powder hybrid formula is full of brightening shades of everything summer- highly illuminating and beautifully pigmented.
Don’t be intimidated by the shimmery first impressions. The finish of this blush is what makes it look so natural and easily blendable. Additionally, if you want to explore the dewy finish but you have an oily skin type, the ReDimension Blush might just be the perfect product for you – glowy without the sticky sensation!
The shades Mai Tai, Pomegranate Fizz and Sangria are such unique shades of peach, coral and plum that are absolutely divine for the summertime.
Diptyque: Figuier Large Outdoor Candle
Diptyque Figuier Large Outdoor Candle, $607.
“Summer meanderings. Between the woven apertures of an ancestral art revived, summer’s rays mingle with moments spent under the fig tree…” – Diptyque
The outdoor candle from Diptyque is a luxurious investment that is absolutely worth the price tag. The beautiful handmade earthenware porcelain pot is not only a statement decoration piece, but this 5-wick candle will grant you 150 hours worth of beautifully lit summer gatherings. Plus, you can absolutely reuse the pots to plant your favourite herbs or vegetables.
Figuier is my go-to summer home fragrance. It strikes the perfect balance between fruity, woody, fresh and warm.
Flamingo Estate: Roma Heirloom Tomato
Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato, $75.
Don’t you just love the rustic summer vibes that are perfectly captured by Flamingo Estate? This up and coming home and body line from Australia has been making headlines for their unique fragrance stories that are full of character.
This year, I am bringing your attention to the Roma Heirloom Tomatoes candle. I was so kindly gifted this candle just a couple weeks ago but I am stashing it away and saving it for summer. As soon as you open the box, your senses will tingle with the sharp aroma of heirloom tomatoes – juicy, tangy, fresh and earthy.
Flamingo Estate describes this candle as ripe and supple – the heirloom tomato scent will transport you to a family style Mediterranean dinner party in Sicily!
Vyrao: Free 00
Vyrao 00,$67
We seldom come across beautifully crafted creations that are genuinely innovative and great quality at fair price points. Vyrao has been a newer brand that has been catching the eyes of the beauty community due to their unique energy healing perfumes. In each bottle of perfume, a Herkimer diamond is included so that you can feel energised with each spritz.
Fragrance is a huge part of our daily routines and self identity. It increases our serotonin levels, boosts our confidence and adds an element to the upcoming day that is intimate and personal. Free 00 in particular is a soothing yet zingy summer fragrance filled with warm jasmine, lemon, mandarin, sandalwood, vanilla and waterlily. This symphony of notes is incredibly invigorating and sure to uplift your spirits.
Nest Fragrance: Wild Poppy
Wild Poppy 50ml, $153
If you are looking for a dynamic summer scent that is free of your typical citrus or nutty notes – Wild Poppy by Nest Fragrance is definitely one to check out. In general, Nest is quite underrated so it’s perfect for those who want a unique perfume that isn’t sitting on everybody’s vanities already.
Jerome Epinette is the genius behind this beautiful fragrance. His portfolio is incredibly diverse and he is responsible for the success of countless iconic brands including Byredo, Ellis Brooklyn and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris. So you can absolutely trust that Wild Poppy was created in good hands.
Luscious fruity notes of pear, raspberry and apricot forms the foundation of this fragrance. However, Himalayan jasmine and rose de grasse gives Wild Poppy an edge that is hard to find elsewhere.
Ponsonby may be a small suburb, but it packs a punch with its rich flavours and continuous rush of eclectic cuisines. Ponsonby’s food scene mirrors the city’s vibrant and diverse population. The scene is varied and innovative, bringing together cultural influences from here and worldwide—a perfect blend of old and new, and where the east meets the west. Every palate is catered for in this part of Auckland. Foodies will revel in the variety of exceptional places springing up across the town.
It’s a bit hard to keep up with what’s new and decent so as devoted regulars, we’ve put together all the best new spots so you can deviate from Ponsonby’s OG institution, Prego.
These establishments are representative of some of the best that Auckland offers, ranging from casual neighbourhood joints where you can pop in and be greeted like locals to formal fine dining establishments that deliver technique-driven food with equally excellent service.
Gaja
Corn Ribs, Gaja
Having trouble finding Gaja? Just follow your nose. You’ll find this moody Korean restaurant along Ponsonby Central’s lane, just a short walk from the main road. Gaja is my all-time favourite spot for date night or a group dinner. The menu is constantly changing, but it’s always designed for sharing. Indulge in the not-so-average corn ribs, gochujang-packed pork and intriguing yuzu pumpkin. Attracting diners in the mood for a bit of fun. Gaja’s upbeat and infectious energy from the hosts will have your back for more and more.
Inca
Inca
Inca has made a name for itself with the notorious Nick Watt attracting eager diners daily. It is one of the most exciting places to eat in Auckland right now, thanks to a bold, punchy menu that draws on a Latin American/Japanese concept Watt fell in love with on a trip to Peru. Salmon cooked in fermented chilli and passionfruit, woodfired butternut pumpkin with pickled oyster mushrooms and pork cheek tacos – all primed for pairing with intrinsic cocktails that are sure to wow. A must try is the rockmelon – you would never have tasted something quite like that before!
Mumbaiwala
Mubaiwala
Expect to find the very best of dal, Manchurian and tandoor grill. Brimming with delicious Indian cuisine and history, which boasts traditional yet modern lively fare. Mumbaiwala is in Ponsonby’s prime location, so it’s hard to miss! However, as it’s new, you may have been waiting on a fellow foodie to give you the nod of approval – this is it. My personal fave is the paneer karahi which I still think about recreating today, slurping my naan heart out for its thick masala sauce. An excellent spot for families to feast too.
Clipper
Clipper
Having recently played host to Sydney’s famous Maybe Sammy, Clipper has established itself as a place to go for a memorable cocktail experience. Their menu is only the beginning of the fun, with its page layouts like a passport and each drink named after a go-to holiday destination. For example, you can order a round of Italian Lemon Basil Spritz or go for a mix of Puerto Rico Watermelon & Aloe with Hawaii’s Vanilla and Passionfruit blend. They’ve gone the whole mile, and you can even have your passport menu stamped as you make your way through the book. So be sure to bring your passport back the next time you go there to satisfyingly fill her up!
Lucky 8
Sweet & Spicy Cucumber Salad, Lucky 8
You’ll find crowds at Lucky 8 – a hotspot for good food, reasonable prices and good chats. A night out at Lucky 8 is a guaranteed good time. The vibrantly lit, brick-and-mortar walls add romance and nostalgia to the mix, with matte black lucky cats lining the shelves and some of Auckland’s best DJs on duty. The beef cheek is divine, lying on a bed of gravy. Do not forget to order the mushroom fries to soak up the left of the sauce. There’s no shortage of buzzing cocktails and fast dumpling service. It’s perfect for the upcoming silly season as it’s perfect for a group session.
Mr Spicer
Mr Spicer
Mr Spicer is an institution — a well-oiled machine in a neon-coated space serving Southeast Asian dishes. You’ll find rogan josh and vegetable jalfrezi with spice-laden dishes like lamb cutlets. The chocolate samosa with ice cream is also a must-try. My group was heavenly satisfied with this finishing dish. Mr Spicer is lively and hosts exciting service.
Neutral hues and organic forms can create a beautifully soft, calming colour palette, so it’s no wonder they’re popular in residential designs. In the year 2022, people are constantly interacting with fluorescent smartphone apps, subsequently interacting with blue light technology, bringing in neutral colours can let your mind breathe and wander.
Layering neutrals in a sophisticated and exciting way is, at times, a hard-to-achieve artform, so it’s occasionally a good idea to inject colour into a space to keep your eye interested and experiment with expression. However, before thinking you should take a brush to walls, remember that painting is more challenging than it may seem. Consisting of 90% prep work, sloppy workmanship will take away from any great idea
To add colour to a neutral space without painting any walls, you can look to statement pieces of furniture, art and decor, adding to a lived-in sense of depth.
Flowers
If you like instant gratification and don’t want to spend much time planning a design, floral arrangements are the perfect way to inject colour. Whether they’re fresh floral arrangements you try fortnightly, draped greenery over a fireplace or bannister, or a dried sculptural assortment only needing replacing annually, you can completely change the vibe of space with Mother Earth’s flora and fauna.
Furniture
@EyeSwoon
Take a seat, and listen up! Chair and sofas, in particular, are amongst my favourite product types to add a splash of colour and interest. With both sculptural and functional elements, you can catch someone’s eye with the right bright-hued chair – and keep it from moving.
Artwork
@SimonLewisWards
@ElleDecor
@Proem_Studio
Although it seems obvious, artwork is an exceptional method of injecting colour into a space. However, despite its seemingly easy ‘purchase and hang’ process, do not underestimate the time and energy that goes into installing art. Scale, subject and colour have an enormous impact on what makes or breaks a space. You may find that it’s best to focus on the medium rather than the subject, depending on the area you want to elevate. When choosing artwork for a space, it’s best to look at the already established palette of your room and then decide if you wish to compliment or contrast the colours and tones.
Throws + Bedding
@FermLiving
As we welcome summer warmth, it doesn’t mean we need to neglect cosy throws. Weight and material play a huge part when deciding which throws are best for cooler days and warmer nights, but whether it’s a coloured throw that makes you happy or a tone to elevate your space, it’s a surefire way to add a dose of colour to a neutral space.
Cushions
@StacyHeyman
The definition of non-committal, styling with cushions and pillows is the quickest and most straightforward way to add colour, patterns and texture to a space. You can subtly highlight a statement sofa or chair – or blow it out of the water and go crazy with a pop of colour!
Light fittings are often left until last – if not completely forgotten. Lighting can completely change the feel of a space. It can highlight art, make a room feel larger or create ambience. There are thousands of designs available these days, from wall sconces to pendants – and plenty of options with colour.
Decor and Styling
@Slow_TheStore
If you want to take it slow with adding colour, consider buying small ticket items, like a candle, book, throw or a vase and put them in the space to see how you react to its presence.
With items like these, you can go for gold and be bold. When in doubt, start with a sample or ask the store manager if you can keep the receipt and return the piece you’re purchasing, just in case it doesn’t go – most often, they’ll say yes, which gives you more freedom to be experimental.
Scorpio Ingress October 23, 10:35:30am NZT The Sun moves into fixed water sign Scorpio. The dual rulership of Mars, the planet of action, and Pluto, the planet of power, makes those born under the influence of the Scorpion fiercely self-reliant with a strong preference for being in control. They are intuitive, loyal to a fault and masterful at masking vulnerability with sheer resilience. The Scorpio call sign is “I desire”. Many happy returns Scorpio Woman – it’s a sweet start to your birthday month. Venus, the lady of love and beauty, is hand-in-hand with the Sun in your personal sector, ideal for doing things that give you pleasure – enjoy it while it lasts. The New Moon on October 26 will spur you into new ventures, but with your rulers Mars/action and Pluto/power not in accord you will feel that what you gain on the roundabout you lose on the swing – hold true to established plans and don’t be tempted by creative shortcuts. On October 31, Mars turns retrograde, and this planetary realignment can cause major disruption or petty annoyance. With good connections between Mars and Saturn/stability, expect the latter, but keep a firm grip on the tiller. The Full Moon on November 8 incorporates innovative Uranus and highlights partnership, perfect for an impromptu celebration with special people. Pressure subsides as the month closes. The way forward may not be completely clear but you will feel that you have regained control.
Sagittarius
Nov 23 – Dec 21 This may not be the month you break new records, but it provides a perfect “set-up”. Ruler Jupiter starts in Aries then moves back into Pisces and reconnects with whimsical Neptune one last time – make the most of this, tie off loose ends, celebrate with family and perhaps reaffirm some long-lost aspiration or ambition. The New Moon on October 25 and Mars turning retrograde on October 31 continue the retrospective theme. Don’t get frustrated, keep your eyes on the bigger picture – going forward is easier with a clean slate and no baggage behind you. On November 8, revolutionary Uranus hand-in-hand with the Full Moon changes the game, blocks and barriers dissolve, and as a perverse month ends, Jupiter prepares to turn direct – you best be ready!
Capricorn
Dec 22 – Jan 19 A pleasant start and finish bookend a grittily centred solar month. Your trusty ruler Saturn turns direct, you are on the move, and with a super-productive connection to Mars, you will hold things steady despite Mars turning retrograde on October 31. Terse planetary connections develop in November. You’ll need to push hard to achieve your goals and will make ground even if you don’t quite meet your own high expectations. The Full Moon on November 8 brings the battle between change and the status quo to a head. Hold your ground and don’t be afraid to err on the side of caution – change will come in its own time. On November 14 pressure will ease and you can steer the month to a fulfilling and productive close.
Aquarius
Jan 20 – Feb 18 This could be the month to test your mettle! With your time and attention divided between your working life and your home life, there is little space left in the middle for you on a personal level. Whether it is a matter of change versus the status quo or authority versus freedom, it’s time to put “you” back into the equation. A strong link between Saturn and Mars (stability/action) unpins your month and will help you hold your course. Tensions build towards the Full Moon on November 8 – change is in the air, and if you want change, then make it happen. Or, conversely, keep your head down and let the dust settle. It will settle quickly, other than a niggle between Saturn and the Sun (authority) the waters will calm and a nasty month will dissolve into nothing.
Pisces
Feb 19 – Mar 20 When the Sun moves into Scorpio, your usual sense of sympatico will be amplified because Venus/love and Mercury/communication are up close and personal with the Sun. On October 28 your ancient ruler Jupiter moves back into your sign and reconnects with your modern ruler Neptune. With the focus on all things spiritual, philosophical, or related to the higher mind, this is a special opportunity if you are looking to reconnect with study, a spiritual journey or any form of self- awareness. It’s not all plain sailing; Mars/action is in retrograde with a terse link to Jupiter. The start may be slow but worth persevering. The speed will pick up next month when Jupiter turns direct – by starting now you are in on the ground floor.
Aries
Mar 21 – Apr 19 A buoyant start to an interesting month. The focus is communication. Your ruler Mars is productively linked to Saturn/structure. Push the good energy and get as much off your to-do list before Mars turns retrograde on October 31. It will halt the flow, but the plus side is that new or different options will come to the surface – but it can be frustrating! A Mars-Jupiter connection means excess, and with Jupiter slipping back into Pisces and the sector of hidden things, be mindful of what’s going on out of view or under the surface! The Full Moon on November 8 incorporates Uranus, the planet of the unexpected, and falls in your house of personal finance. The best case scenario is a windfall, but caution with spending means it’s not an unexpected expense.
Taurus
Apr 20 – May 20 This is a super-active month for relationships. Venus, the planet of relating in the house of relating puts partnership, personal and professional at the top of the list. Venus, the Sun (authority), and Mercury (communication) are together from October 26 until past the month’s end – this is an intense mix in Scorpio but perfect for problem-solving. Around November 1 Saturn/structure and Uranus/disruption link with the Scorpio trio making negotiations tedious; best to be circumspect when dealing with others – wait until after November 8 and the Full Moon before instigating major change. On November 9, good vibes from Jupiter bring help from friends, the pressure will ease off, with the month ending in somewhat of an anti-climax.
Gemini
May 21 – Jun 21 With your ruler Mercury in airy Libra and a harmonious link between both Mars/action and Saturn/stability the month will start with a flourish. Be creative and proactive make the most of the good vibes while they last. On October 31, Mars turns retrograde and Mercury moves into the watery abyss of Scorpio, the pace will slow, and you will feel you are treading water. The Full Moon on November 8 highlights work in general, health and service specifically – a good time to bring special projects to a close. Just be mindful that with unpredictable Uranus in the mix what you plan for is not necessarily what you will get. On November 17, Mercury moves into free-wheeling Sagittarius with planetary friends on board – your load will lighten with a sweet end to the month.
Cancer
Jun 22 – Jul 22 The New Moon falls on day two of the Solar month – Venus, planet of love and beauty, is bundled with the Sun and Moon, with the focus on all things creative, especially children. This is a super good time, so use it to kick-start something special. Tensions mount at the First Quarter Moon on November 1 – expect your plans to hit speed bumps, compliments of practicality and reality. Hang in there – the Full Moon on November 8 is hand- in-hand with rebellious Uranus, so expect a shift in thinking – even the impossible could happen. From November 10 until 14, the mood stabilises. Adjustments may be needed but the way forward will be clear – November 18 until the month’s end will be smooth sailing – just keep a firm hand on the tiller.
Leo
Jul 23 – Aug 22 There is a “no-nonsense” feeling about you when your ruler the Sun moves into Scorpio. It is especially true this time because there is some powerful interference from Pluto. Focus is home-based but you have a wary eye on your career. If you are feeling the weight of responsibility it’s time to call for support if you have the option to delegate at work or home – holding steadfastly to the reins can often be self-defeating! On October 31, Mars turns retrograde – with Mars in Gemini it may be little more than reshuffling the deck chairs, but best be prepared. The Full Moon on November 8 will clear some pressure created by a busy month, and a Jupiter/Neptune combo on November 14 will change the tempo and bring a hard month to a pleasant close.
Virgo
Aug 23 – Sep 22 Your ruler Mercury is in a hurry this month. Expect a rolling change of focus and be prepared to multitask. An easy first week with Mercury well-supported in airy Libra. On October 29, Mercury joins the Sun and Venus in Scorpio and the focus changes to communication with deep and meaningful tones – if you have been waiting to get to the bottom of something – now is good. Mars, planet of action, turns retrograde on October 31. This may reshuffle rather than disassemble plans. You have help from Saturn, the super-whizz of structure, just don’t expect it all to go your way. On November 17, Mercury jumps into Sagittarius and links into the inspirational Neptune and aspirational Jupiter, and the solar month rolls to a good end.
Libra
Sep 23 – Oct 22 Money and/or values come into focus, and with ruler Venus under the Scorpio mantle it’s more likely to be a scheduled reevaluation than a lovely Libra treat. Mars/action turns retrograde October 31, this once every two years event can be disruptive, it lasts until mid-January so keep an eye on travel plans. Expect some terse undercurrent mid-month, the catalyst may be money, work or children, the point of contention is the status quo versus change. An unpredictable Full Moon on November 8 won’t solve the problem but will dull its sting and leave you free to indulge in more creative pursuits. On November 16, Venus moves into Sagittarius, linked only to expansive Jupiter – time to catch up on the good things missed at the start of the month and time to have some fun!
It’s the season of big, glorious novels to transport you to other times and other places. There’s plenty to choose from this spring, from both debut authors with mind-blowing first books and established writers back with more epic storytelling.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (Faber & Faber, $36.99)
Barbara Kingsolver needs no introduction. The author of The Poisonwood Bible, The Lacuna, many other novels and critically acclaimed non-fiction, returns with a modern adaptation of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. Kingsolver tells the story of Demon’s life set against the backdrop of the devastating opioid epidemic.
The Unfolding by A.M. Homes
The Unfolding by A.M. Homes (Granta, $34.99)
In her first novel since winning the Women’s Prize with May We Be Forgiven, A.M. Homes returns with a biting satire of the American dream. Picking at the scabs of division in American society, Homes follows the family of Big Guy, his wife Charlotte, and daughter Meghan, as their relationships start to shatter in the wake of the 2008 presidential election.
Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson
Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson (Doubleday, $34.99)
From the award-winning author of Life after Life – an adaptation of this novel was recently screened on TVNZ with Aotearoa’s own Thomasin Mackenzie in the lead role – comes the tale of Nellie Croker and her empire of nightclubs in 1920s London. Lush and engaging, and full of Atkinson’s trademark narrative skill and wit.
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Hutchison Heinemann, $37)
Taylor Jenkins Reid is back too, with yet another engrossing novel. Fierce and ambitious, Carrie Soto retires with every record in women’s tennis history – but six years later, another player claims her crown. Carrie’s determined to win it back, even if it means facing all her greatest demons.
Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer
Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer (Picador, $38)
At just 26, Maddie Mortimer’s debut novel is seriously accomplished – written in short, poetic vignettes, this novel charts Lia’s diagnosis and treatment for cancer. Dark and wild, and quietly affecting, this novel honours family, desire, loss, and forgiveness, all in a brave and melodic style.
Joan by Katherine J. Chen
Joan by Katherine J. Chen (Hodder & Stoughton, $38)
A reimagining of the famous Joan of Arc, written in gorgeous lyrical prose. This Joan bursts out of a brutal childhood to take a place at the head of the French army, but who can she trust? This feminist celebration of the historic figure is thrilling storytelling.
Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo (Chatto & Windus, $37)
Described as a Zimbabwean version of Animal Farm, Bulawayo’s political satire Glory tells the story of the animal kingdom Jidada, and the ousting of the leader Old Horse after a 40-year rule. Bulawayo’s debut novel, We Need New Names, was shortlisted for the Booker prize, and Glory is bursting with the same gorgeous writing and extraordinary humour.
Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty (Oneworld, $40)
Winner of the inaugural Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, Rabbit Hutch is set in Vacca Vale, Indiana, a fictional town slowly decaying in the United States rust-belt. Blandine, a beautiful and incredibly intelligent young woman, is given a chance to escape her life of poverty and destitution, and Gunty explores Blandine’s choices with exquisite and daring prose.
To put it simply, career progression is to “move forward in your career”. Whilst you may expect this to happen naturally by starting a job at an entry level position and getting promoted as you garner more experience, progression doesn’t just encompass getting more money or getting a new position. It can also include people in your workforce placing more trust in you and accordingly awarding you more responsibility, or having you try new business departments or sectors, or helping you grow by investing in your professional development by providing training opportunities.
Advancing our careers is a goal that almost everyone with a job has. We’ve all heard the traditional methods to advance our careers like creating a professional development plan with a mentor, asking for regular curated feedback sessions from a mentor or those who give you work, but has the paradigm shifted on how to truly progress in your career?
The traditional thinking about career development has been that our careers need to vertically grow. Vertical growth is about ascending traditional career ladders. As a lawyer, I would start as a law clerk, become a junior solicitor, move to a senior solicitor, an associate, a senior associate and then finally a partner at a law firm. However, in recent times, it has been questioned whether such growth really develops peoples broader knowledge bases. You have the scope to be pigeon-holed in as to a particular subject matter expertise in such cases. Whilst horizontal growth (moving to different departments within a firm) can help one really become a jack of all trades, the question is whether lateral career moves (moving to another workplace at a same or similar job description, level and higher pay in a different sector) are more beneficial?
One of my friends from University has changed 4 jobs in 4 years and is extremely satisfied with both his salary and his position. There’s obviously a stigma that’s associated with hopping around jobs every so often, particularly as the older generations were of the mentality that career success was attributable to staying loyal to a company and progressing that way. However research has shown that most businesses model for a significant level of attrition, particularly in high stress corporate jobs. So here’s why I think lateral moves at a reasonable frequency can actually be more beneficial for your career.
1.
It helps stagnancy. There comes a point where your learning trajectory in a role will plateau because tasks are no longer novel and take significant thought or problem solving but are routine. Getting to such a state can feel mundane which unfortunately makes us feel stagnant (and stagnancy leads to restlessness and overall dissatisfaction). Studies have shown that Millennials and Generation Z have the lowest employer satisfaction out of every generation to work, which means that changing jobs and feeling like you’re in a new position learning new things can help with feeling stagnant and motivate you to feel engaged.
2.
It broadens the base of your skillset. While doing one thing for 20 years may make you a maestro in that industry, it feels far more alluring to gain the knowledge and experience of different industries in the same role. For example, if you work as an accountant, you may start your career at an accounting firm like Deloitte or PWC and gain the base level experience. You may then want to move to an industry position and work as an in-house accountant for Coca Cola or Air New Zealand, which in addition will allow you to learn things specific to that industry and make you learn more from a practical standpoint.
3.
Lateral movers show high “learning agility.” A term coined by HR professionals, people who are agile learners are highly valuable due to the potential they show. The research behind this is that the ability to change jobs and excel shows that you can be put into a new role and be successful due to your ability to learn and apply new concepts. This, in turn, will make you more sought after and employable which makes complete sense; the more skills and roles you have under your belt, the more of a stand out star you are as it’s direct evidence of your ability to execute work in different capacities. In my own experience, just after changing jobs is when I’ll get many messages from recruiters and potential employers saying “I know you haven’t been at position “x” very long, but would you be interested in this new role?”
4.
It’ll allow you to negotiate better compensation. When you move laterally, employers tend to see you as an extremely valuable candidate on the basis that you come with expertise and a different perspective. This is easier to use to negotiate a higher compensation package compared to if you were negotiating with your current employer. In particular, you can benchmark it against wanting a certain amount above your current pay and also benchmark it against any market rates or salary guides.
5.
It exposes you to a wider ambit of leadership styles. By moving laterally, you have more visibility to different types of bosses and people you can work with. This can help you make a name for yourself in the respective industry you work in, which means that there is now an additional net of upper management who can later advocate for your career in different phases of it. In addition, this can also help you develop your own delegation and management style. By working with different leaders and managers you’re exposed to different types of people management and you can quickly learn which styles you don’t resonate with and which styles you want to effectively incorporate into your delegation of your subordinates.
So while there may be a negative stigma associated with frequent lateral moves and people might say “but that’ll look so bad on your resume!”; I’m of the view that lateral career moves have so much to offer you. They exemplify your ability to apply your skills gained in different industries and environments, and you may enjoy the work culture and values more and even be entitled to better workplace benefits. Next time you’re thinking about how to move up, don’t write off moving sideways.
Make-up artist Natalie Dent gives you a step-by-step guide to rocking our November model’s fabulous Frida look. Prep Start with a cleanser to remove any residue and a spritz of hydrating spray so the skin is clean and feeling fresh. For a super-plumped-up and radiant complexion, use Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base to prep...
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While most of us are more than happy to discuss skincare routines with friends and family, we usually don’t include feet as part of that topic. The topic of our the skin on our feet is considered “unsexy” and possibly embarrassing. Yet it is around 20 times thicker than the skin on the rest of our body and so needs special care to ensure it is looking its best. Only Scholl has a range of clinically proven solutions that are specially developed to treat the unique needs of thicker foot skin for soft and smooth feet.
Scholl are the experts in happy, healthy feet and have a simple two-step foot care routine that will have your feet looking smooth and hydrated for summer. Dry, calloused feet are a problem for a whopping 34 percent of people, but only 7 percent use a foot care product to treat it. With Scholl’s easy two-step foot care routine, you can look after your feet at home, helping to reduce rough skin and soothe cracked heels in no time at all.
Step One: For rapid results, remove hard skin and exfoliate your feet with the Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot Care System. Not only will your feet look softer and smoother, exfoliating is the first step to healthier feet, bringing fresh new skin to the surface, reducing bacteria and improving circulation for good-looking, glowing skin. Plus, your buffed and smoothed skin will easily absorb the hydration it needs to look its best.
Step Two: If cracked, dry, rough skin is a problem – and it is for many of us – use Scholl Eulactol Heel Balm Gold twice a day for a week to soften and hydrate. You’ll see results in just three days. Eulactol Heel Balm is dermatologically tested, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free and non-greasy. It contains urea, which powerfully and speedily softens and rehydrates cracked heels.
With this simple foot care routine, your feet will soon be flawless – add a touch of polish, treat yourself to some chic new slides and step out confidently at beaches and barbecues this summer. You’d never neglect your complexion, so why not pamper your feet too? Summer is nearly here, and it’s not too late!
The Royal NZ Ballet’s Venus Rising comprises three extraordinary works choreographed by three formidable women and it’s finally making its way to Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland after two years and four postponements! Just how the poetry of dance manages to crack you open and mend you again is a mystery worth experiencing. Venus Rising will be performed in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington on November 24; Ōtautahi Christchurch on December 1; and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on December 8 rnzb.org.nz.
Pretty rad
Some of the country’s greatest literary minds come together for Verb’s festival with live lit, performance and workshops all in celebration of books, stories, and ideas gathering under the theme of “Radical Possibility”. In the first week of November, there’s a mean line-up of in-person events including international guests and some of the best writers in the country. Saturday night features one of the brainiest lit crawls you’ll ever attend. Go for the inspo, stay for the conversation. Either way you’ll be richer for it. From November 2-6, verbwellington.nz.
All in the eye of the beholder
New exhibition Hiahia Whenua/Landscape and Desire showcases 24 artworks each revealing a different perspective of the land according to their age and time. From settling to unsettling, the exhibition shows work that is both historical and contemporary. Included is Te Papa’s oldest landscape painting of Aotearoa, William Hodges’ 1776 work [Waterfall in Dusky Bay with Māori canoe], on display for only the second time since it was purchased. Pictured is William Strutt’s View of Mt Egmont, Taranaki, New Zealand, taken from New Plymouth, with Māoris driving off settlers’ cattle, 1861. On now at Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, tepapa.govt.nz.
Waiheke Walking Festival
Waiheke Walking Festival
Billed as the “world’s friendliest walking festival”, the Waiheke Walking Festival runs over 10 days across the gorgeous Waiheke Island in the bejewelled Tāmaki Makaurau. The programme lists some incredible routes, long walks, short walks, dog walks, fitness walks and winery strolls. . . note that a stroll is slower than a walk (slow enough to sip a glass of wine, perhaps?). On from November 10-20, waihekewalkingfestival.org.
She Said
The film telling the story one of the most important stories in a generation, She Said is about Harvey Weinstein and the investigation into allegations of sexual abuse. Starring Carey Mulligan and with Brad Pitt at the helm, it’s a story that opened the front door to change and the exit for creeps. #MeToo.In cinemas nationwide from November 17.
In the swim
Swimming has been the new black for so long it’s probably gone blue. So dive in, get your togs on, zip up your wetsuit and enter one of the many ocean swims happening over the summer. Start with what must be the most scenic harbour crossing on the yearly swim calendar – swim 3.3km across the stunning Bay of Islands and kick-start the summer with how you mean to go on – as a mermaid, of course. Generation Homes Beach to Bay, October 29, oceanswim.co.nz.
Having planted her roots in the Labour Party over a decade ago, MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan now holds a place in the Prime Minister’s cabinet, making her one of 20 major parliamentary decision-makers – and the first person of Indian origin to be represented there. Priyanca talks about her passions, portfolios and personal journey.
I was born in India and grew up in Singapore. My parents had migrated from India to Singapore, and they were, I guess, the quintessential migrant family who worked really hard. They instilled in me a passion for social justice from a young age. That’s what drives me, and it always has.
I saw my parents both volunteering, and they brought me and my sister up in an environment where we were encouraged to read, whether it was newspapers or current affairs, and to debate the issues at home, think them through and challenge the status quo. My parents were also my first volunteering role models. I was reflecting on that recently, as it was National Volunteer Week. It’s just something I’ve always done.
Singapore was my comfort zone, but I wanted to move somewhere that I didn’t know anyone. New Zealand ticked a lot of boxes for me. I’ve worked in the women’s rights space basically all my life. The fact that Aotearoa New Zealand is where women won the right to vote first in the developed world was a huge drawcard for me. I also met Kiwis in Singapore and really liked them and what they had to say about New Zealand. Also, the fact there was scenic beauty and a reputation for work-life balance – a bit of a joke now, given my job.
I just wanted to go somewhere and chart my own course, so I came to Palmerston North in the middle of winter 18 years ago.
Being brought up by a feminist
My biggest inspiration as a little girl was definitely my mum. She was the first feminist I ever met. She brought me up on the fact that being a woman or a girl, there wasn’t anything you couldn’t do. She challenged a lot of stereotypes in her time as well. I come from a long line of strong women. We actually come from a part of India that is matriarchal and matrilineal, so, traditionally, property was passed on through the women in the family.
I’ve worked in the family and sexual violence space for much of my life. That is still a significant issue facing ethnic women in New Zealand. I’m so excited that, in the current budget, we got funding to work on primary prevention, particularly in the ethnic communities space. That’s an area that we’ve never really had much of a focus on. Equally, I think there’s more we need to do in the secondary space, so responding to violence.
Imposter syndrome
I have grappled with imposter syndrome a fair bit. Even though I had a really supportive childhood and upbringing, I’ve always struggled with self-esteem issues. I guess going into Parliament and then becoming a minister… it’s just classic imposter syndrome, right? When you walk into a room and suddenly you have this little voice at the back of your head that’s like, “Any time now, everyone’s going to know that you don’t know what you’re talking about or you don’t know what you’re doing”.
I worked for a while at the Ministry for Women where I was often, in a lot of those spaces, the only woman of colour. Thankfully, that has changed to an extent in the past 10 years, but at that point in time I really struggled with that. I was there to raise issues around family violence intervention for ethnic women and I was the only person flying that flag. It got difficult.
I actually got some coaching, which was really helpful and it gave me some tips to be able to own that space and know that I did have a perspective that others didn’t have. I had a role to raise those issues because otherwise they wouldn’t be raised at all.
I’ve had mentors along the way. I feel quite strongly about mentorship and the importance of it. It’s not something that I’d ever thought of previously or taken seriously, but now that I’ve benefited from it, I think it’s incredibly useful.
Again, like everything else, you just have to quieten that voice sometimes and say, “No, I do have something to share here”, and just share it! Even in Parliament I have people whom I look to now as mentors and I’ll check in with them.
Recharging
Staying at home these days is quite the luxury. I try to catch up on some sleep, spend some time with my husband and my two dogs and just switch off for a bit.
One of my most favourite things to do always used to be reading for pleasure. Now that I have to do so much of that for work, I find I don’t get to read for fun much – the last thing I want to do is read something else!
Above, godfather of ambient, Brian Eno, in 1974 Hand-picked music to soothe your mind at bedtime and a little bit of reassurance about how much sleep you might actually need. This month’s playlist has been certified road tested to have you omming and ahhing in no time. “You go to bed, close your eyes and...
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Image above: A fresh arrival from Europe, the Opel Mokka-e (BEV) is a compact SUV delivering brisk performance and up to 363km of range. An arresting design leaves heaps of room for customisation. The upmarket cabin features two large screen displays in Opel’s innovative “Pure Panel.
If you didn’t know EVs are revolutionising the car industry then you’ve been living under a rock these last few years, but the reasons for buying a new car are many and not least among them whether you can fit the dog in the boot and how to allay range anxiety (it’s a thing). Who knew you didn’t just plug your car into a normal socket in the garage?
The Porsche Taycan GTS (BEV).
Okay, full disclosure, I am the sort of woman that stands on the side of the road looking suitably distressed at my flat tyre until somebody pulls over to help me change it. So if you too had to Google what ICE stood for (internal combustion engine as in cars that aren’t EVs) then you also need the facts unbundled. These days the market is moving faster than gas prices, with the latest cars offering lower lifetime running costs, some of the best safety ratings and super fun in-car tech. We’ve set out to canvas the options, rate the benefits and do a bit of carsplaining. Consider this the print equivalent of a tyre change at the side of the road.
Battery electric – BEV Pure EVs with Zero Emissions
As batteries become more energy-dense and owners get smarter about home charging during off-peak hours (see sidebar), the equation looks even better. Plus, our nationwide charging network (spearheaded by ChargeNet, charge.net.nz) is constantly improving, quelling fears around range anxiety and mid-trip charger speed or availability.
Aside from the fact that EVs produce no tailpipe nasties, many buyers are drawn to the new and rapidly evolving EV technology. The cars showcase futuristic designs, have unique driving attributes, and benefit from lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts. The further up the luxury and performance ladder you look, the bigger the batteries and the prevalence of two or more electric motors. Battery capacity is rated in kilowatts per hour and typical battery efficiency is 7km to 8km of travel per kWh.
Fashion designer Juliette Hogan with her Audi e-tron Sportback (BEV).
The Government’s Clean Car Discount scheme makes the numbers significantly more attractive for EVs that retail at under $80,000, such as the new Nissan Leaf. A pioneer of the electric age, the Leaf has evolved in the critical areas of battery capacity, power output and energy efficiency although it’s now matched or eclipsed by other pure-electric options. Not long ago, for example, Audi and Mercedes-Benz debuted a groundbreaking EV in their line-ups. Now, each offers a compelling range of electric e-tron and EQ models respectively.
Operating an EV is similar to driving any modern car. Many are based on conventional cars, so they have very similar interiors and controls. Others are bespoke designs with a real sense of airiness in the cabin and clutter-free consoles. All benefit from highly aerodynamic shapes but seat you higher to accommodate the battery packs under the floor. Rather than having radiator grilles, they are mostly sealed or “faired in” at the front and sit on wind-cheating, flat-faced wheels. Some break the silence with an artificial soundtrack.
Most EVs deliver sparky performance. There aren’t any gears to worry about and electric motors don’t need revs to build power, meaning full pulling power is instantly available. And driving modes or paddle shifters allow you to dial up regenerative braking to the point where you can drive largely by using the accelerator only. Lift off and the car effectively brakes for you.
Reasons to Buy an EV
• Cost-effective home charging solutions efficiently draw off-peak, renewable energy • Energy-dense batteries offer a broad range of performance and real-world ranges • Most new models can accept high rates of charge from growing network of fast-chargers • EV driving has a calmer, quieter, more relaxing character • EV tech has allowed an interesting rethink of car design, packaging, and perceived luxury • Zero-emissions motoring portrays a far-sighted, eco-aware image • Some EVs qualify for a maximum Clean Car rebate of $8625
Considerations When Buying an EV
The Peugeot 3008 SUV Hybrid4 (PHEV).
• Lower everyday running costs, but often a higher initial purchase price • Battery range does reduce over the duration of its life • What is the battery’s driving range? • How long is the Manufacturer’s Battery Warranty as they differ across brands • What is the battery replacement cost?
Plug-in Hybrids – PHEV Best of Both Worlds’ Potential
Any vehicle that relies on two different types of power is a hybrid. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) usually combine a plug-in battery with a petrol engine. They offer a solution that can help people into cleaner, more efficient cars rather than forcing them to hold off switching because they have concerns.
The batteries in PHEVs offer a modest (albeit improving) electric-only range, typically between 40km and 100km. Predicted electric ranges tend to fairly reflect actual usage. These cars allow day-to-day electric-only running but also make great sense for those doing lots of longer trips. When the battery is depleted, the vehicle seamlessly switches to petrol power and you use the combustion engine until you can plug in again.
For some people, a PHEV will be a better choice than an EV. Battery capacity is sufficient to contribute to major emissions savings on most journeys. Because motive power is often fully electric, a PHEV can be as slick as an EV to drive, gaining pace with ease and rewarding with great cruising refinement. But unlike the very large battery packs in pure EVs, PHEV batteries can be used to their full potential more of the time – and there are no issues with range anxiety.
Key Questions for PHEV Buyers
XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid R-Design, in Thunder Grey
• Does my choice qualify for the Clean Car PHEV rebate of $5750? • How big is the battery and what is the electric driving range? • For my budget, will a PHEV hit the sweet spot between efficiency and overall usability? • How long will it take to recharge at home with a bespoke charger? • Will I be disciplined about charging regularly to get maximum battery benefits and lower emissions? • Does the hybrid packaging allow adequate passenger and load space? • Can I justify paying a premium for a pure EV?
Get Smarter and Safer with Home Charging
Electric vehicles are set to become the most energy-hungry appliances in your home, so it’s important that you are able to control the time at which charging takes place.
While BEVs and PHEVs are typically provided with a three-pin wall plug, which is fine for temporary charging at a leisurely 2.4kW, this is not really suitable for long-term use. Installing a bespoke home charger is the safest, most efficient solution, and one that can future-proof your property.
Smart-charging systems allow you to best take advantage of optimal charging times when prices are lower and the highest percentage of electricity on the grid is produced from renewable sources. Being connected to the internet allows great flexibility when adopting new features and automation.
One of the most common dedicated AC chargers is rated at 7.4kW. As this can pull up to half a home’s maximum energy load, consider a charger that offers home overload protection. It will monitor your electricity draw and throttle back its charging speed as you get close to the maximum load threshold. This will enable you to achieve as fast a charge as possible – up to 40km of range in an hour – in a safe manner.
As with your phone, you can prolong battery life by not fully charging the battery, not running it flat, and not using a rapid charging facility regularly. The very best operating range for long-term battery health is between 20 and 80 percent. Expectations around battery durability have increased to the point that the typical battery only loses about 2 percent of its charging capacity each year.
Regular Hybrids – HEV Proven Efficiency without a Plug
OUR HYBRID CHOICE: The Toyota Corolla Cross.
The average Kiwi motorist travels around 40km per day and uses about 3L of fuel. That translates into daily CO2 emissions of around 6kg. We need to slash that figure to attain a more acceptable global standard for our fleet efficiency, one that would require the average car to use about 1.8L of fuel per day. With this in mind, hybrid petrol cars continue to fit the bill.
For many, the Toyota Prius is the car that popularised hybrids. A range of models now exemplify Toyota’s well-honed hybrid tech, including the all-new Corolla Cross, the RAV4 SUV, and Yaris hatch. Each features a conventional petrol motor and small battery pack with an electric propulsion system, so it can be powered by electricity alone for short distances. Otherwise, the battery/motor assists the combustion engine, reducing fuel consumption and boosting performance.
Hybrids excel around town and in stop-start traffic. Note that you don’t plug in a hybrid as it is effectively self-charging. The battery is recharged by energy recovered from braking and deceleration, or sometimes from the combustion engine when driving conditions permit.
Most hybrids are now eligible for rebates under the Government’s Clean Car programme (see below), although, unlike plug-in vehicles, they do not benefit from a flat rebate. Various discounts are calculated on the CO2 outputs of individual models, and the more efficient the vehicle you buy, the greater the potential rebate.
Serious Savings from Clean Car Discounts
The Hyundai Kona Hybrid II (HEV).
Our transport system generates about 47 percent of New Zealand’s carbon emissions and 21 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. The Government’s response: a Clean Car Standard that incentivises zero- or low-emissions purchases, especially those with a plug.
The Clean Car Discount scheme introduced in July 2021 reduced the upfront purchasing costs of many EVs and PHEVs. The maximum rebate remains $8625 for a new EV and $5750 for a new PHEV. To qualify, new cars must cost less than $80,000 and have at least a three-star safety rating.
The scheme was recently extended to apply a scale of Clean Car rebates to a broader range of low-emissions hybrid and ICE vehicles. There is support available for all fuel-efficient cars that consume up to around 5.5L/100km.
Looking ahead, the Government has set ambitious CO2 reduction targets for every year from 2023 to encourage new car importers to supply an ever-greener fleet of low-emissions vehicles. To make showroom shopping easier, colour coded Emissions and Energy Economy labels indicate a car’s eco credentials. Green is good, and indicates rebate eligibility; blue is neutral; and red means the car incurs a penalty in the form of an emissions fee payable to the Government at the time of sale.
Low-Emissions ICE-LEV Advanced Performance and Economy
The Citroën C3 (ICE-LEV).
The very best Clean Car endorsements tend to come from satisfied owners of EVs and PHEVs. Most accept one or two compromises with their vehicles but have found the upsides to be considerable, especially the efficiency and driving attributes. For those who have made the switch, buying another regular car would be like turning back the clock on the progress made towards emissions-free motoring.
However, car manufacturers have been continuing to refine traditional internal combustion (ICE) technology to the point that the new generation of petrol-powered cars is incredibly efficient and still highly relevant. Besides low emissions and outstanding economy, other ICE hallmarks include attractive price points, excellent performance from compact turbocharged engines and trick transmissions, and the sort of mainstream refinement that was once the preserve of bigger-engined or premium cars.
A recent development is the emergence of ICE-powered Mild Hybrid vehicles. They might not drive on electricity alone but they have an ability to recover and store energy to reduce fuel consumption, enabling coasting at speed and further energy-saving at low speeds. Expect this technology to become standard across much of the industry in coming years, extending the life cycle of petrol engines in the process.
European marques have generally outperformed with efficient petrol engine development. Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and Audi are all prime examples of “future-fit” brands offering low-emissions ICE models developed to meet stringent European regulations.
Why Hybrids and Low-Emissions ICE Make Sense
• Potential Clean Car rebates due to low emissions • Can be brilliant solutions while you contemplate the transition to electric • They hit the sweet spot between affordability and sensible running costs • Self-charging hybrid technology comes to the fore around town • All meet broad expectations around practicality, safety and tech features • The occasional fuel station fill-up remains quick and convenient • Huge potential range per tank means peace of mind on long trips
This article is proudly sponsored by Armstrong’s automotive group, offering 18 international vehicle brands across 35 brand locations in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Armstrong’s range of vehicle brands across low emission, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full EV vehicles is unmatched. Whether it’s for a new, demonstrator or quality pre-owned vehicle, the Armstrong’s team can help you with your next motoring journey.
To view some of the EV, hyrbid and low-emission vehicles available today click here.
Bouclé (from the French word boucler, which means “to curl”) is a heavy textile containing nubby, looped yarn.
Boucle is the fabric of 2022/23 and beyond. Contrary to popular belief, bouclé isn’t a high maintenance fabric. Made from linen and cotton, boucle has low liquid absorption and won’t ball or pill like poly-blends or wool. Aesthetically, boucle is a great way to add texture and interest to a space instead of incorporating a new color. Comfort and quality are two things you won’t need to compromise on.
Curves are having a moment, we know this. The reason this 3 seater boucle sofa works so well, is because it’s a neutral piece in an ivory colourway with a low-profile design and inviting curved edge that presents the perfect opportunity to make an enclave – and not have one oversized couch directed at your TV.
A stand-alone statement, this Parisian inspired chair is one of a kind. Standing at 720mm high, this is the perfect designer piece to elevate your living area and create different layers of height throughout the room. When everything is the same height, a space can feel flat and basic (no matter how many beautiful pieces are in there!) but when you mix and match, and more importantly layer the space, your eye moves around the room, enabling you to create different moments and vignettes.
Don’t underestimate the power and impact color can have in your home. This Danske Mobler swivel chair is simple in its form of soft curves and minimal detailing which contrasts strikingly against the bold copper tone of the boucle. Colors influence our mood, so depending on the environment you’re in, you could feel any type of way. The colour copper can make someone feel energetic and ecstatic, but mixing it with a soft boucle fabric gives it a homely touch that feels welcoming, inviting and down-to-earth.
SKIMS Cozy Knit Boucle Robe in Bone
SKIMS Cozy Knit Boucle Robe in Bone, $277.
Fashion and interiors are often strongly linked to and influenced by one another, which is why it’s no surprise to see Kim Kardashian has taken Boucle to the next level with her ‘Cozy Knit’ range. Crafted from an exceptionally stretchy boucle, this collection is warm, sexy and cozy.
This barstool is everywhere right now -Target, Home Sweet Whare, Lounge and Living – all retailing for between $242-$248 (Home Sweet Whare currently has a sale on for $220 which is why they’re my chosen store to shop from). AC Homestore also has the same chair, retailing at $329.99, maybe because their photography is more expensive? We love this bar stool for a few reasons. A footrest and backrest make for easy sitting, and the contrast of black against the soft ivory adds elegance whilst keeping true to the simple form and design.
AC Homestore Boucle Curved Bedhead
AC Homestore Curved Bedhead, $1,799.
The sweeping romanticism of curves in the bedroom is hard to beat which is why we’re loving this creative take on an otherwise typically ‘standard’ shaped piece of furniture; the headboard. Boucle is the perfect fabric choice for a headboard, easily spot cleaned with minimal absorption means your hair creams and serums are less likely to stain or mark behind your head. If you love your bedroom to be light and bright, this is the perfect way to add interest and texture. The only thing to be aware of is that this particular model doesn’t go to the ground, so you may need to consider sizing up to hide the base of the headboard.
Mid-century modern has found her knight in white shining armor. The extra-wide seat is designed for the utmost comfort, stuffed with memory foam on a fixed cushion base means you’ll never need to fluff and chop your pillows again. The refined design and slim profile that the Soho provides creates huge versatility. Propped off the floor by slimline NZ hardwood feet, your eye can travel ‘through’ the furniture and create a calming visual narrative.
All in all, Boucle is the one fabric not spinning yarns on itself and its popularity illustrates how designers are successfully crafting Boucle into stylish, versatile and comfy pieces.
From an idyllic childhood to directing world-class documentaries, Briar March believes films can change society and she wouldn’t do it for any other reason. “If I can’t find a connection, then I’m not making anything,” says Briar March, in a cafe in West Auckland where the noise of the coffee grinder and the clash of...
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Lining up the top underrated fragrances that will match your energy this Summer season.
Summer is the time for luscious fruits, hypnotising spices, energetic florals and invigorating aquatics. So, what will you choose?
D.S & Durga once said, ”fragrance is armchair travel,” and I couldn’t agree more! It is the best thing about seasonal fragrances. A summer fragrance can take you anywhere from the hot and spicy nights of Marrakesh, to the sunny beaches of the Amalfi Coast.
Although a signature fragrance seems like the right thing to do, seasonal fragrances can add an extra boost to your mood, step up an outfit or become an interesting conversation topic when socialising. Don’t underestimate the power of our senses. If you are looking for a rejuvenating summer scent, read below to find your unique fit.
Mango Skin is not your typical fruity fragrance. You can practically take a bite out of this perfume. Perfectly capturing the juicy yet creamy flesh of the mango that is sticky and juicy, it is overflowing with the essence of this crowd favourite fruit.
Although it is extraordinarily sweet, Mango Skin is well balanced by the tart blackberry, savoury blackpepper, and honeyed jasmine. Mellowed by the notes of wild orris, black lotus and vanilla, this fragrance is wonderfully complex and irreplaceable. Grounded by patchouli and pink sugar, your skin will be sure to radiate all the bright mango deliciousness that transforms into the night.
If you love a distinct fragrance that captures the attention of a crowd, Mango Skin will be your best friend. Sweet, creamy, fruity with a touch of darkness – don’t miss out on this unbelievable creation.
Sitting by the brick hedges, you are overlooking the sparkling bays of Positano, Italy. The skies are bursting with shades of bright orange, violets and blues as the sun sets beyond the terraces of your view. As the moon begins to shine, the night-blooming Siranuse jasmine flowers release an intoxicating warmth of white floral aroma. Ambrette seeds imitate the salty breeze while the fresh lily of the valley brings light to this passionate fragrance.
Fior Fiore is a seductive love potion that isn’t too heavy or sickly sweet. Instead, it is energising and calming due to the comforting scent of the Siranuse jasmine. One whiff of Fior Fiore will make you feel like you’re on holiday mode. Pair with your best summer dress and an orange or hot pink lip for a breathtakingly chic summer vibe.
Sick and tired of fruity and floral Summer fragrances? Looking for an intensely sensual and lavish perfume? Promise by Frederic Malle is for serious fragrance lovers. An imagined world somewhere in the Middle East, it is luxury in a bottle.
A dynamic fragrance that strikes the perfect balance between the feminine and masculine, it’s perfect for confident people who want to stand out.
Bulgarian and Turkish rose forms the body of this deeply rich fragrance. Uplifted by notes of apple, pink pepper and clove, the fragrance is grounded in patchouli and labdanum – there is nothing quite like it. This combination is incredibly mysterious, spicy and reminiscent of hot Middle Eastern climates. Where a promise is an unbreakable vow, this fragrance is strong and dependent.
North Bondi by Ouai is for the cool girls. Effortless, sheer and irresistibly chic – this fragrance is perfect for all your day time festivities this Summer. Described as a nuanced blend of rich florals, sheer white musk and fresh citrus notes – North Bondi is part of the fresh and floral family.
At first spritz, Italian bergamot, lemon and apple blossom fill your nose with a sparkling fresh aroma. At the heart, a bouquet of rose de mai, violet and jasmine creates an ever so slightly powdery ambiance that gives this fragrance that beachy quality. Patchouli and white musk creates the lasting impression of this sheer musky fragrance that is almost skinlike.
North Bondi is a fragrance that will work all year round absolutely seamlessly. Pair with denim and a pair of sunglasses at your next brunch or a chill day in the sun!
We can’t talk about a summer fragrance without covering a good citrus scent. Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford is an absolute classic that overcomes all the challenges that a citrus fragrance poses for a perfumer. It is exceptionally long lasting, possesses an incredible depth of flavour and boasts a complexity that is rare in this category.
Neroli Portofino is Tom Ford’s personal olfactory portrait that captures the cool breeze, flowing water and the healthy greenery of Italy’s Portofino. Using citrus oils at the forefront of this fragrance, the backdrop of amber notes and floral accoutrements, Neroli Portofino is sure to turn heads during the Summer months.
Italian bergamot and Sicilian lemon are staples in the citrus fragrance family and Neroli Portofino pairs the two together. With the addition of winter yellow mandarin, the holy trinity of bitter-sweet citrus notes is complete. Tunisian neroli and orange flower brings balance while lavender harmoniously blends with the citrus, floral and amber notes.
Tom Ford fragrances are not for the faint hearted. Often quite strong and intense, Neroli Portofino is not as out-going as her other friends and does not overpower the wearer. Instead, this fragrance is inviting, mesmerising and bewitching.
Setting up a capsule wardrobe has become somewhat of a trend in recent years. The wave of minimalists sharing their 10-piece
collection that can be mixed and matched really is a great idea.
However, I’m a maximalist, but not in the colour and pattern sense – I just really love clothes and some would say it’s a problem. I have 10 pairs of black pants that don’t look too dissimilar. So, if you’re looking to refresh the basics with a bit of pizzazz here and there, you’ve come to the right place.
THE WHITE SHIRT
Black slacks and an oversized white shirt is my go-to look when I’ve got “nothing to wear”. Invest in one white classic shirt and for the rest, have fun and pick options with small embellishments and features such as cool buttons, ruffles, bows or flared sleeves. Elements like this will elevate your look, and make it a little more personal.
The Fiona Shirt gathers perfectly at the waist. A super flattering option to update plain work shirts. My favourite element is the single button which really draws the eyes in.
I love an item with multiuse, so it makes sense that the Ruff Shirt can be worn either way for two looks in one!
THE BLACK PANT
A well-fitting pair of black pants are, in my opinion, one of the best purchases you can make. This is an area I would invest in. Spend time trying a few pairs to find the right fit for your shape. Once you find the right one, buy them in every colour!
These will become your go-to everyday black pants. The lighter crepe fabrication and elastic waistband make them perfect for travel and running errands.
I’ve recommended these pants to anyone who will listen. Feele have such a great price point without compromising on quality.
THE TRENCH COAT
Why a trench coat over other coats? Pure versatility. It’s easy to throw it over any outfit and look pulled together. A trench coat is also one of those items where you can find great options at all budgets, whilst still looking great!
If rigid coats aren’t quite your thing, a soft floaty trench coat is always an option. Perfect for warmer days when you just want a little something to pop over, I’m loving the Viktoria and Woods College coat – especially in the nutmeg colourway.
My favourite detailing are the colour-matched buttons, making this trench more versatile for evening wear.
A CLASSIC SNEAKER
You don’t have to lose your style when prioritising comfort. A good pair of sneakers will easily take you from the office to a trendy new restaurant. Stick with muted colourways that will go with every piece in your wardrobe.
Vejas have a cult following, and for a reason. They haven’t put comfort above style, so you’re getting the best of both worlds!
TIMELESS KNITWEAR
Whether you believe it or not, knitwear is definitely an all-year item. A staple piece of knitwear can be layered in winter when you need more warmth or thrown over a t-shirt later in the year for evening BBQs or nights by the beach.
Mixing the best of both worlds, the Converse Sweater gives you a cardigan and sweater in one! I love styling it as a sweater, giving the back button detailing a time to shine.
You always need a classic knit in your wardrobe staples. The Ella Knit is such a snuggly option for evenings around the home.
THE TOTE
Take it on a plane, to work, the markets, a tote bag is like Mary Poppins’ bag, and fits everything! Just remember to have a makeup pouch to keep all your small items in one place as you’ll be searching furiously to find that one lip balm when your pout is feeling chapped!
Investment worthy for sure. The Morris might appear precious but is incredibly durable! It will double as your work, pool and weekend tote.
THE PERFECT FLAT
Alright, this is quite a vast category, however, a pair of cool flats is a must for those days when you want to be a little more dressy than sneakers will allow, but don’t want to brave the day in heels.
A little platform really elevates a simple flat! These strappy La Tribe Sandals have been a kiwi favourite for a few seasons now, but the Black Nubuck straps are a new standout.
A classic mule never goes out of style. A mule is often thought of with a small heel, but a simplistic flat pair is your everyday work friend.
THE JEAN
We’re going to round out this list with none other than a variety of denim, from ecru to grey and the classic blue jeans, you will most likely need a pair in every hue. It can be hard to find the right fit, but like black pants, once you’ve found the perfect silhouette, you won’t go back. On a Sunday morning, all you need to do is pair your favourite denim jeans with a white shirt, sneakers and a trench coat – and you’re good to run errands, go to a fancy brunch or pop to the shops!
I’ve been making my way through Kowtow’s denim selection, and Sailor has now reached the top of my list. Made from 100% certified Fairtrade organic cotton, these wide-leg jeans are the brand’s best selling pair!
Attention to detail really wins me over as a customer. Maggie Marilyn’s jeans went through countless iterations, wear tested by her team to ensure the fit was just right. If you’re on the taller side, they’ve even gone the extra mile and added 5cm to their standard fit to ensure they suit everyone.
Everyone needs a cropped pair of denim in their collection. They offer a slightly more casual look for weekend outfits. The Wanda Jean is more of an investment, but is the perfect cut, with the added detail of a raw hemline.
We’re at a unique stage in the workplace (across many industries, but predominantly corporate New Zealand) where we have four very different generations at an age and stage where they are exposed to each other in the workforce. With conflicting backgrounds, formative life experiences and expectations of work, managing all four generations simultaneously and having a cohesive workplace environment proves to be a difficult feat for most organisations.
Effectively managing people and understanding workplace expectations involves understanding what drives each generation. By better understanding the drivers and motivators of people, this can be leveraged to create synergies for any organisation.
Here’s a little breakdown of what to (generally) expect (caveating that there is never a one size fits all approach to dealing with people!).
The Baby Boomers:
The generation that were born during the post World War II baby boom; an era focussed on repopulating the world in a period post destruction. This includes people born between 1946 and 1964. This generation has had the most significant impact on the economy and as a result are deeply rooted in the principles of hard and honest work. As they have all had significant prosperity during the course of their careers, they are a very influential generation economically. In the workplace, they are principled, driven and are likely the first to arrive and the last to leave. Flexible working is a concept that shocks most of them, and being seen at your desk till a late hour is what helps them to categorise you as a worker who is motivated, loyal and determined. Boomers typically stick to one job and haven’t career hopped a great deal; you’ll hear most of them say things like “I’ve worked at this company for 25 years!”. They believe that the best way to be successful is to climb the corporate ladder in one particular job, and aren’t really in need of recognition or positive reinforcement but are there to get their job done.
Generation X or the “MTV Generation”:
The descendants of the boomers, born between 1965 to 1985, are also extremely hard workers. A far more cynical and witty generation, who in their formative years, experienced boomer parents who were hard at work, making them a bit more tough skinned and in need of less love and attention. Being the generation who first had accessible video, independent film, music and the start of the internet era, they have far more wider interests than just work. Experiencing the transition to capitalism, Gen X’ers are still very hard working employees with traditional views on hard work and are also known to be productive and loyal in the workplace. Also relatively averse to job hopping, they tend to remain in one to two jobs throughout their career and go above and beyond to fulfill the ambit of their role. Motivated by increased responsibility and pay, they don’t need compliments or recognition. More broadly however, research does show that Gen X’ers are much more active, happy and achieve work-life balance, especially in the later ages of life. Having a bit more of an entrepreneurial flare, they believe that hard work pays off, but are motivated by thinking outside the box and challenging the norm.
The Millennials (Gen Y):
Those born between 1986 to 1996, are far more liberal and conscious of social issues. The “I-phone generation” grew up being technologically savvy, and weaving this into their everyday life. This generation grew up valuing acknowledgment and meaningful motivation. Being the generation that prides themselves on working “smarter” not “harder”, they see work and a job as something that makes ends meet, but not the be all and end all of life. Having an extremely entrepreneurial flair, and being blessed (or cursed) with the rise of social media at their disposal, they are the first generation that leveraged the resources available to them and paved the way for influencers. At work, they value being recognised, appreciated and praised and are most responsive to positive reinforcement as opposed to critical bosses. They want to be recognised for doing a job well, particularly in ways that boomers and the X’ers may not be, which can come off entitled. They find diverse and collaborative ways of working both meaningful and as a useful tool to learn. Wedged between the X’ers, who don’t need much coddling, but the Z’ers who demand respect, they’re somewhat nervous and anxious, and are often the biggest victims of imposter syndrome.
And finally, the Gen Z’ers; our “Tik Tok” Generation:
This generation are digitally native, and are known for being absolutely ruthless on the internet. This generation is really shifting the paradigm on what it means to be an employee. Like the Millennials, but on steroids, they are not a fan of the traditional work week, and paving the way for destroying the 9-5 and Monday to Friday. This generation ultimately thrives off entrepreneurship, being resourceful and quick, and ultimately leveraging their strengths and doing the least for maximum return. They are the most health-conscious, socially conscious and overall accepting generation. This generation is the most racially diverse generation to date, which lays the foundation for the generation as a whole being profoundly liberal and an ally for almost all social justice issues. At work, this generation has created the global phenomenon known as “Quiet Quitting” (well, a 24 year old Tik Toker from New York did, but he’s a Gen Z, and they all followed suit shortly after). Quiet Quitting is essentially opting out of performing any tasks beyond one’s immediate assigned role, and just becoming less invested in work. This generation views corporate jobs/work as only one part of your life and think that if you do sign up for a job, while you perform your duties you need to no longer subscribe to the hustle culture mentality that work is what your life is all about, as the preceding generations (particularly the Boomers and the X’ers) may have. Usually with their toes dipped in a lot of other avenues, and a view that being successful will not ever be truly fulfilled by climbing a corporate ladder, Gen Z in the workplace thrive off being paid what they believe they deserve (noting that with inflationary pressures the later generations make far less than what our predecessors have).
Better managing people in the workplace doesn’t involve a one-size fits all approach, but involves understanding the motivators of each person to improve workplace morale. This could be established by doing a combination of the following:
Foster an environment where open communication is the expectation. By letting people communicate their goals and views, you can help challenge the stereotypes that Gen Z is lazy, or that Boomers are averse to doing anything virtually and actually will help people work together.
Placing complementary generations to work together so that their work meshes more cohesively (i.e., Millennials and Gen Z may work better together).
Respecting boundaries. As you’ve learned above, each generation has their own formative experiences which create their boundaries. What seems the norm to one generation is most definitely not acceptable to another, so by understanding people’s boundaries and that the younger generations may value their own free time and social lives more than climbing a corporate ladder, you can understand how to keep them happy.
All in all, the way to effectively manage multiple generations and close a generational gap begins with the concerted conscious effort to make progress.
Around a year ago, I stumbled across Shirzad Chamine’s book Positive Intelligence. An incredibly intelligent man with an educational background from both Stanford University and Yale business school – he is a lifestyle coach focusing on mental fitness and resilience allowing for a better pathway for our future.
One incredibly riveting aspect of Positive Intelligence is the free assessment on your key self sabotaging traits. Named the “9 ways we self sabotage”. Most people have likely stumbled upon the Myers-Briggs personality test or done another personality quiz which identifies their core personality traits, but what I found particularly compelling about this assessment was that it asked for a quick-fire response to 50 questions to understand your personality based on your reaction to things and thus identify your key “saboteurs”.
A “saboteur” is defined on Positive Intelligence as the “voices in your head that generate negative emotions in the way you handle life’s everyday challenges.” Essentially, the saboteurs are the blueprint for each person’s reactions to a situation and affect how a person may think, feel or respond and ultimately be the foundation for other negative feelings like stress, and anxiety. Positive Intelligence theorises that there are 10 saboteurs in total, and we all suffer from them to differing extents.
The Saboteurs are:
The Judge – the ultimate saboteur which activates all other saboteurs and the one that makes you overthink and obsess over any mistakes and what the future holds.
The Avoider – puts off unpleasant tasks and conflicts.
The Controller – has a need to take charge and control situations.
Hyper-Achiever – strives off constant performance and achievements for validation.
Hyper-Rational – intensely focused on processing things rationally, including relationships which can come off uncaring.
Hyper-Vigilant – intense anxiety about dangers.
Pleaser – attempts to gain acceptance and affection by helping, pleasing, rescuing, or flattering others constantly.
Restless – constantly in search of more excitement, the next activity and is only happy when constantly busy.
Stickler – A perfectionist that has an immense need for order.
Victim – extremely focused on internal feelings and acts like a martyr.
The premise of the assessment is that our saboteur’s patterns of thinking and reacting are soft-coded into our brain through our neural pathways, meaning that they cloud how we react to things. They’re bad for you because they are a negative frame of thought putting you in a state of alert and stress. Remaining in such a state forces you to be tunnel-visioned and prohibits your capability of delving deeper and finding solutions to situations which you may face (which your brain does more easily when in a positive state).
Although Positive Intelligence has its own guide to conquering your saboteurs, I personally think identifying them is the first step to being self-aware so that you can confront them and internally reflect on how they may be prohibiting you from being a better version of yourself.
This time last year, I felt extremely stagnant and as if nothing felt good enough. My assessment results, which showed that my two top sabotaging behaviours were Restlessness which was closely followed by being a Hyper-Achiever. Although I was probably reluctant to acknowledge that I do pride myself on being very busy and my achievements to date, I didn’t really think about how this may be negative. Upon some very heavy reflection, I did realise that I inhibit the exact traits of the Restless saboteur, in that I am constantly seeking excitement and variety instead of stability – I stay very busy and seek out new stimulation.
I often found that I was having thoughts that things weren’t necessarily stimulating, and I wanted more options. Taking the assessment made me consider that needing to be this way is an anxiety based escape and that by constantly indulging in fun, new activities I was avoiding dealing with unpleasant things and not really focusing on issues that were important. With this reflection, I could also see how being a Hyper-Achiever was closely related to the concept of being Restless. With the need to constantly involve myself in various activities or studies, my sense of validation drove from having a great academic and work ethic, and my displeasure with situations, directly correlated to not having performed well in some aspect.
As a result of this introspection, I forced myself to have a designated Monday “me” day where after I come home from work, I just slow down, and relax (a concept which was profoundly foreign to my social butterfly self who likes to schedule plans back to back). This involves doing whatever I feel like, but also saying no to any plans on this day and spending time thinking about situations and allowing me to process what’s actually going on. This is a practice which I have found extremely useful to actually process emotions and reflect.
So, while this may be a simple pass time assessment that you don’t think twice about, I do urge you to try this assessment as it may very well be the key to unlocking your full potential.
Chantecaille is a go-to brand for mature ladies who want to enhance their natural beauty without all the fuss. All their products are specially designed to hydrate, plump and smooth textures on the face, eyes and lips. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to be of a certain age to use Chantecaille. Because of the extra attention to detail in their formulas, Chantecaille looks all the more seamless on those who are younger and perfect for dry skin sufferers who need the extra TLC. In particular, the Future Skin foundation is one of the best formulas on the market.
The consistency is that of a gel cream hybrid that is as light as air. This foundation contains 60% charged water and seaweed for deep hydration that will plump and replenish the skin with nutrients. Aloe is also a key ingredient that keeps this foundation super lightweight. As a result, the Future Skin foundation boasts an incredibly buildable and customisable formula that is flexible to suit any occasion.
Oftentimes, foundation formulas that are specifically designed for mature skin can be tacky in texture with a gleam that looks more greasy than glowy. What you’ll be pleased to discover is that the hydrating factors of this foundation doesn’t leave a sticky or excessively shiny finish on the skin. Instead, the skin soaks up all the nutrients while leaving a traceless layer of coverage that is surprisingly long lasting. Although you can use powder to dab any unwanted shine throughout the day, a simple finger tap rearranges the texture into a super skin like effect!
Skincare infused foundations have been a massive hit in 2022, but none have been quite as unique as the Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum.
Pigment spheres are suspended within the skincare base of sodium hyaluronate, antioxidants, peptides and squalane. As you pump the product out onto your hands or clean surface, you will notice that there are two visible formulas. All you need to do is mix them together and apply to your skin as you usually would a foundation.
Unlike some of the other foundations within this edit, the Rose Inc tinted serum is much more skincare focused. Subsequently, there is much less coverage in this product. However, if all you are looking for is a veil of coverage that is highly hydrating and refreshing, this is the product to opt for.
According to consumer studies, people have noticed that the Rose Inc tinted serum had brightened and smoothened their skin while improving their skin barrier. Traceless, sheer and nourishing, the Rose Inc tinted serum is a true skin-oriented makeup range that delivers beautiful formulas without compromising on the efficacy of their skincare goals.
The It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is an OG cult favourite. While 2-3 pumps can create a genuinely flawless full-coverage finish, 1-2 pumps result in the most wonderfully sheer and glowy your-skin-but-better effect.
Developed with plastic surgeons, the It Cosmetics CC+ boasts an impressive SPF 50 which is perfect for women on the go. This is a multi-tasking product that is packed with other skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, salicylic acid and peptides.
Buff into the skin with a brush or push into the complexion with a damp beauty blender for the best results. This is the perfect seamless foundation for those who still need a little more attention in terms of coverage. If you suffer from rosacea or other skin concerns and you want to find a foundation that is effortless with a bump of coverage, the It Cosmetics CC+ is the way to go. You can also build upon this product as a concealer under the eyes or to conceal pesky spots.
I am usually quite sceptical of high price tags in the beauty industry. However, I have found that the Sisley Phyto Teint Nude Foundation has exceeded my expectations and crushed the detailed criteria for skin-like seamless foundations.
Featuring a powerful cocktail of hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, konjac glucomannan and microspheres, the Sisley Phyto Teint is deeply nourishing upon application. Due to its natural finish, this will be the perfect option for those who do not subscribe to the glazed doughnut club.
Once you give this product a good shake, carefully deposit the product onto your chosen surface. You will notice that the formula is rather fluid. Because of this reason, I did not expect the product to have such a substantial texture that sticks to the skin and provides beautiful light-medium coverage.
Unlike most second-skin foundations, the Sisley Phyto Teint has a subtle satin finish that is designed for normal to combination skin types. However, it also is suitable for those with dry skin types who are looking for a satin finish that is comfortable on the skin. If you suffer from intense dryness or flaky skin, the Chantecaille Future Skin or Rose Inc Tinted Serum may be a better option for you.
The Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Foundation is a recent discovery that has rocked my world. It claims to be an innovative formula that is breathable and weightless with a buildable medium coverage. As you apply this foundation, you will notice the ultra light serum texture that is incredibly moisturising. I find that I can use my fingers to apply this product within 30 seconds, paint on some cream blush and be out the door in no time.
I especially love the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch due to its blurring effects that glaze over my pores with a natural finish that isn’t obnoxiously glowy. If you have normal to oily skin, however, I highly recommend using a mattifying primer or powder to protect the integrity of this product. It is an oil based formula so it is best for dry to combination skin in terms of staying power. However, if you do suffer from oily skin, it is recommended that you opt for oil based base products as it is much less likely to separate throughout the day.
A historical trend of women being told their beauty fades with age has seen the skincare industry lean on words like ‘anti-ageing’, vague promises of wrinkle reversal, and implied overnight success when marketing their products.
Although recent years have seen a positive change in language (the word ‘anti-aging’ replaced with words like ‘radiance’ or ‘youthful glow’), the underlying message still seems to be the same… you need to look smoother, tighter, younger.
It’s worth noting that the target audience for this kind of product isn’t just an older generation – I know women as young as 22 that are already so concerned with ageing that they have ‘preventative’ botox. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with indulging in a little injectable help to keep you feeling fresh, maybe we need to re-evaluate the relationship we have with ageing in current culture and make sure businesses aren’t continuing to cash in on – and fuel – our insecurities.
At the end of the day we’re all getting older. Instead of approaching time as something to fight, let’s make it our friend. Let’s take youth off its pedestal and look at ways we can support our skin through every stage of life to ensure we age gracefully, healthily, and happily. Because, ironically, all that worrying about wrinkles is going to give you wrinkles…
See below for 6 innovative brands that prioritise taking care of your skin in the present, and support healthy skin on its journey to be just that – healthy skin.
A brand doing it right is New Zealand cosmetics label ManukaRx, who have introduced a whole skincare range titled ‘pro-aging’. Harnessing the power of manuka oil, grown and harvested in collaboration with local East Cape iwi, the brand focuses on improving their customers skin confidence by targeting skin health.
Local skin-care brand Emma Lewisham has made headlines for trail-blazing circular sustainability practices in the beauty industry, but it’s their ingredients-first approach winning a diverse customer base over. Partnering science with nature their products are designed around the skin’s own physiology, Emma sharing that “This pioneering skin-first approach works with the skin to create a synergistic impact and deliver unparalleled results”. No fuss, no scare tactics, just the perfect blend of science and nature that caters to any skin type, tone, or age.
In an effort to foster better relationships between people, their complexion, and their physicians, Skinbetter has created a prescription-only product line that ensures you’re getting skin support suited to you. In a world where we can get any product at our fingertips, it’s great to take a step back and let a professional connect you with a science-first brand. Products like the Even Tone Correcting Serum are made up of a ground-breaking, non-retinol formula that delivers a visibly dramatic reduction in the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Australian range asap prides itself on being ‘the science of beautiful skin’, with the range drawing on active ingredients, including AHAs, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and antioxidants to promote healthier skin. The Gentle Cleansing Gel removes excess makeup and oil without removing moisture from the skin, protecting your dermis from the daily effects of pollution. Using a trusted cleanser is an easy, consistent way to put long-term skin health first.
Katey Mandy, founder of Aotearoa skincare brand RAAIE, shares how “Humans are beautiful throughout every stage of their precious lives. However, western media has perpetuated a myth in our culture. It has told us that sagging skin, dullness and wrinkles are the result of ageing when in reality they are mostly caused by UV damage.” Mandy recommends allowing yourself to look as vibrant as you feel by giving your skin the right support. RAAIE’s Yellow Moonbeam Retinal Elixir helps repair UV damage by “boosting skin cell turnover, and thickening the skin dermis which results in a firm, bouncy, pillowy skin surface”.
A fuse of natural and lab-made ingredients has seen Aēsop make their mark as a leader in skin-care with vitamin and antioxidant rich products ruling the range. Antioxidants are known to calm and revitalise the skin and protect against exterior pollutants, making them a considered and effective ingredient for optimising skin health and protection. “High-quality ingredients are vital, of course, and we take a rigorous approach to our research and development process”, says Chief Customer Officer, Suzanne Santos, about their Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum.
