Savvy October 2021

NZFUDGEFARM

WHANGAREI’SFINESTRANGEOF

QUALITYCHOCOLATES

BennettsandDevonportchocolatesinBeautiful Boxesforgifts.Youcanalsotreatyourselftojusta fewofthesamebrandssoldseparately.

TheNew Zealand FudgeFarm Shop3,TownBasin, Whangarei Phone09438 3327 www.nzfudgefarm.co.nz Open 7Days

KENSINGTONSTUDIO

STYLE YOURDÉCOR

Fabulousfloraldesigns,giftwareand gardentreasurers. 37 MainsAvenue, Kensington Open Thursday -Saturday10am-4pm Phone: 09 4370731 Follow uson Facebook– KensingtonStudio/ Styleyourdécor

HIHIAUACULTURALCENTRE

ComevisittheHihiauaCulturalCentretoseeourever-changing exhibitionandshopfilledwithauthenticMāoriartanduniquelocal creationsfromnationallyrenownedartists.

Hihiaua Cultural Centre 56-58HerekinoStreet, Whangārei OpenMonday-Thursday 10am-4pm,Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday 10am-2pm

SNAZZIGIFTS

NATURALLYYOU,THAT’S NUDIPOINT AtNudiPoint,theyarefocusedentirelyoncreating 100%NATURALskincareandwellnessproducts, lovinglyhand-craftedhereintheFarNorthofNew Zealand.WearethelocalstockistsinDargavillefor allthisrange.Instoreandonline https://snazzigifts.co.nz/collections/nudi-point 83 VictoriaStreet,Dargaville Phone 094398779 Open:Mon to Fri9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm

CURATE BY TRELISE COOPER

OVER

YOUGOSHIRT

Aboldprint,relaxedshirtwithsingletierhigh-low hem.Buttonsthroughthefrontandcanbeworn openasalayeringpiece.Alsogreatasabeachor poolsidecoverup.RRP$249.

AvailableatPolwarthDesign Shop8,4PortRoad OkaraShopping Centre,Whangarei hdesign.co.nz

SANTRENOSHOES

RRP$179.90

Santreno Shoes 69 CameronSt, Whangarei 094382224 www.santrenoshoes.co.nz

Editor’snote

It’sbeen abit of adauntingtime to risk planninga wedding,asour coverstory bride AmandaClearyfound out.

Shehadjustcompletedthe RSVPlistfortheir 120guests,which,whenplanningtheseating arrangements,is abitof ajigsaw.Then, only eksawayfromthebig day, theplug was pulled.

Plungedintolockdown,their weddingday passed,theirplanseitherplacedonholdor slippingaway.Luckily,mostof theirproviderswereable to pull togetherand makeithappen,albeit ayearlater,andtheday wentaheadasplanned,but fora fewkey members.Onpages4& 5,sheshareswithusherdreamday.

If aweddingis on yourhorizon, we alsohave thelatestfashionadvice, including forthemother-of-the-bride,alongwithphoto-readytips. Andifnot, then youcanalways readwhat’sgoingonout thereinour harbouronthefishingsceneon page 18. Havea great month.

Editorial Jodi Bryant –jodi.bryant@nzme.co.nz

Advertising JanHewitt –jan.hewitt@nzme.co.nz

Design BryceZhang

Coverphoto Dawn Dutton Photography

Published by NZMENorthland, 88 RobertStreet,Whangārei. savvy@northernadvocate.co.nz

SAVVYWEDDING

04-Taketwo:DreamBayofIslandswedding 06-Motherofthebride!

07-HowtoLookGoodinWeddingPhotos

07-Lookingfortherightlocationforyourweddingorspecialevent?

FASHION

09-WeddingShoeTips 10-StyleFile:ChloeHill 11-Weddings…

BEAUTY

12-CelebrateagoodhairdayeverydayatXtremeShampooShop&Salon 13-Lift,shapeanddefinewithDermalFiller

HEALTH

14-Takingthemysteryoutofconjunctivitis

15-FeelingasthoughCovid’srobbedyouofpossibility? 15-StressLess

16-LockInTheGoodness

17-YesterdayTodayTomorrow

17-TrysomethingnewthisNovember 18-PackardMotorMuseum–vehicleofthemonth 18-Fishingtips&tales

SAVVYHOMES

20-Howtochoosetherightbenchtopforyourkitchen 22-Storagesolutionstogetyourhomemoreorganised 24-Howtonailyourlinenorganisationthisspring 26-FrequentlyAskedQuestionsaboutsleep

28-Understandingthekupuā-kaupapa(technicalwords)onRollerblindfabrics 29-Whattoconsiderwhenlandscapingyournewhome 30-HomeRenovationSpendRisesasHomeownersInvestinKitchenProjects

$1dollarreserve onlineauction

toraisefundsforTauraroaAreaSchool

Afteraround70yearsenrolledat TauraroaAreaSchool(TAS),this1950s weatherboardhomeisreadytograduate, leaveitsfoundationsandhittheroad.

Well-maintainedbytheschooloutside andin,withgreatspacesandairyrooms, thisclassichomewillsitwellonjustabout anysiteyoucanthinkof.Pointthelounge northforall-daysunordeckalongtheside foraneasyoutdoorentertainmentarea, thechoiceisallyours!

Thesaleofthishomewillraisefunds forTAS;they'regrowingandtheschool housejustneedstogo!TheTASteam haveclearedthesection,madeeverything readyforthehousemoversofyourchoice andthekidscan'twaittoseetheaction.

Ifyou'vegotapatchoflandlookingfora hometocallitsown,giveJessBarnesa callon0276958330.

OnlineauctionclosesOctober13,11:00am (unlesssoldprior).

TAKE TWO:

DreamBayofIslands wedding

BYJODIBRYANT

Amanda Donald andShane Cleary were just weeksout from theirmeticulouslyplanned BayofIslands weddingwhenlastyear’s lockdown wasannounced andthe pinwas pulled.

Butoneyearlater,theirdreamdaywent ahead,completewithflamboyant petal-throwinggroomsmeninkiltsand thebrideleapingintotheoceanatthe endofthenight.

Thecouplemetin2012atShane’sfamily bachinPatauaNorth.Theyremainedfriends untiltheybegandatingin2016withAmanda movingnorthfromWairarapain2018and ShaneproposingonaboatatUrquhartsBay thefollowingyear.

Their2020weddingwasplannedtobeheld attheDukeofMarlboroughinRussellaround AnzacDaywithaguestlistof120,somehailing fromAustralia,CanadaandtheUK.Amanda’s WaihekeIslandhen’spartyhadjusttakenplace andShane’sstagdowasduethatweekend.Then everythingwenttopsy-turvyinthecountry.

“Wewerearoundthree-fourweeksout whentheDukepostponedourweddingdue toconcernsofstaffaroundlargegatherings,” recallsAmanda,42.“Thelockdownwas announcedafewdayslater.”

Whilefullyunderstandingthedecision,the build-uptonothingwasadisappointment.

“Wehadstartedgettingnervousaboutthe weddingawhilebeforetheDukepostponed us,withparticularreferencetoelderlyor compromisedfamily/friends,andifitwasthe rightthingtokeeptheplans.Wecompletely supportedtheDuke’sdecisiontodelay us.Thedecisionwastakenoutofourhands which,althoughupsetting,wastherightcall giventhesituation.

“Wedidrequireabottleofbubbles, however,toprocess.”

Whilebrieflycontemplatingasmaller weddingpost-lockdown,gatheringfamily andfriendstogetherwasmoreimportantso theydecidedtowaituntilthefirstavailable dateattheDukeofMarlborough,oneoftheir favouriteplaces,whichwasn’tuntilEaster2021. Meanwhile,theyenduredlockdown,working throughout,beforelevel2allowedthemto undertakearoadtriptovisitfamilyandfriends whotheywouldhaveseenatthewedding,and inanefforttocheerthemselvesup.

Photos:DawnDuttonPhotography

Overthefollowingmonths,thecouplegot theirfirstfurbaby,agermanshepherdcalled Ryker,andAmanda,avet,begananewjob andspenttimeapplyingfinaltouchestotheir rescedulednuptials.

Intheirfavour,theyhaddecidedtouse electronicinvitesandRSVPSwhichallowed themtoupdateandreissuenewinvitesand datesatalowcost.Theywerealsoableto inviteseveraladditionstotheoriginallist duetohavingmoretimetosave.However, therewerestilllovedonessorelymissed ontheday,includingAmanda’sMontrealbasedfriendandbridesmaid,whoAmanda’s brothersteppedinfortobalancethewedding partiescomprisingfour.

RecallsAmanda:“Wewerequitenervous aboutanincreaseinlevelsleadinguptothe dateas,evenhavingtolimitnumbersto100 wouldmeancuttingourguestlistwhichwe reallydidn'twanttodo.SoIguessabitofthe funwastakenoutofthelead-upasaresult.”

Thevenue’sweddingco-ordinatormoved accommodationbookingstothechanged datesandallthevendors,exceptthemake-up artistandfloristwereabletoaccommodate thenewdates.

Shane’sstagdofinallywentahead–a monthbeforetheweddingtogivethepaintball weltstimetoreceed-andAmandahadacasual lunchwithlocalfamilyandclosefriends.

Thedayitselfwasamazing,shesays.She andherbridesmaidsgotreadyinthefront

roomsoftheDukewithKatyJanedoingthe make-upandLaurelStratford,thehair.Shane, 45,andhisgroomsmenspentthemorning havingafewbeersbeforegettingkilted up–inanodtoboththeirIrishandScottish backgrounds-inanotherroomattheDuke.

Inagardennextdoor,thecouplesaidtheir vowsbefore110gueststhatsunnyafternoon withcelebrantIdaBirch,followedbydrinks andcanapesaccompaniedbysoloartistTye Matthews,whotheyhaddiscoveredwhileata

performanceatPataua,subsequentlyasking himtoplayattheirwedding.

ProfessionalphotographerDawnDuttonand herhusband/assistant,doubledasguestsatthe wedding,beinggoodfriendswiththebrideand groomanddoingafabulousjobofcapturing thedayand,later,itwasdinner,speechesand musicprovidedbyJPG.

“Stand-outmoments,besidesactually gettingmarriedandmakingitthistime,would beseeingallourlovedones,beingpresented

somebeautifulpounamucarvedbysomelovely friendsfromChristchurchandjumpingoffthe wharfwithmynewbrother-in-lawandmaidof honouraftertheevent,”saysAmanda,adding thatthiswasinstigatedbyShane’sneicesatthe endofthenightandherweddingdressdidn’t joinherintheleap.

“Therearedefinitlynophotosofthat!”she laughs.

FloristWildIvywentbeyondexpectations, shesays,providingpetalsforthegroomsmento actasflamboyantflowergirlsastheyenteredthe garden,totheamusementofguests.Thiswasa surpriseforAmandawhohad,sometimeearlier, beentakenwithasimilarYouTubevideo.

“Beyondabitofreliefatmakingitand knowingitcouldn'tbecancelledatthatstage, webothfeltprettyrelaxedandjustenjoyedthe wholeday.Ithinkeveryonewasgratefulfora breakfromCovidlifeandabitofaknees-up.A lotofpeoplehadn'tbeentoRussellbeforeand reallylovedit,”shereflects.

“Overall,thedelayisn'twhatweremember whenwethinkabouttheday,itwentso smoothlyandwebothhadawonderfultime.”

Inlieuoftheirpostponedtropicalisland honeymoontoRarotonga,thenewlyweds spenta“discounthoneymoon”holidaying atthefamilybachwheretheymet.Today, marriedlifefortheParuaBaycouplelargely centresaroundtheirnowgrownpupRyker who,Amandaadmits,theymaybejustalittle obsessedover.

“Overall,the delayisn't whatwe remember when we think aboutthe day, it went so smoothlyand we both hada wonderfultime.”

Shane’s groomsmen comprisedhistwobrothersandclosest friends,while Amandahadhertwosisters,best friendandbrother,whofilledin forher bridesmaidstrandedinCanada.

marriedinthegardenbesidetheDukeofMarlborough.

Photos:DawnDuttonPhotography

Motherof thebride!

What asensational title.One to fill youwithpride, excitementand joy. It is atitle to be treasuredand celebrated, to be revelled in,evenasa fleeting moment in lifethatisnotoften repeated.

Sothetimehas comeforyou tostandbyyour darlingdaughter onherbigdayandsoakup thebeautyoffamilyandfriends, traditionandloveonthemost specialofoccasionsandyouknow what?Youaresettobesecondbest-dressed becausetheGlobalGirlsareheretohelp.

BynowyouknowthatGlobalDiamonds putthesparkleintoengagementringsand theglamintoweddingbandsbutyoumay notrealisejusthowgoodtheyareatpulling anoutfittogetherusingthemostimportant andmostfabulousaccessory-jewellery!Their stylingskillsaresecondtononeand,mygosh, dotheymakeitfun!

Theytrulybelievethateveryoutfitneeds theperfectfull-stoptopullittogether.That extratouchelevatingittothenextleveland theygooutoftheirwayeverytimetofindyou thatpiecethatwillworkitsmagic.

Isitadramaticdropearringthatcatchesthe lightasyoumove?Imaginefloatingacrossthe dancefloor,onwhathasbeenthemostdivine

day,withdelicatesparkles lightingyourwayorthe perfectlengthnecklace gracingyourdecolletageas thoughitwasmadetofollowthe flowofyourdress.Subtletexture ofgoldbraceletsagainstyourwrist addingmuchsought-aftereleganceand complementingsummer’ssun-kissedskin. Itisallthereforyoutoexploreinstore. Haveaquietlookthroughthecabinetsand collectideasor,evenbetter,taketheplunge andmakearealoccasionofit!TheGlobalteam

areavailablebyappointmentonlyonMondays givingyouthefabulousopportunityofhavinga beautifuljewelleryboutiquealltoyourselves! Gatherthegirls,bringthedressesandbe styledtoperfectionwithabottleofbubblesin absoluteprivacy.Doesitgetanybetterthan that?No,itreallydoesn’t.

Jewelleryhasthepowertobethelittlething thatmakesyoufeeluniquesolettheGDgirls pamperyouinthelead-uptothebigday.You deservethis-fashionatitsfinestfornowand forever.

Youare,afterall,Motherofthebride!

HowtoLookGood in WeddingPhotos

WeddingphotographerDanelle Bohane hasshot around 200 weddingsin12countries.She shares tips on howtolooknatural in your weddingpictures.

Yourbesttipforgettingthebrideand groomtoposenaturally?Thisbeginsatthe timethecouplefirstenquirewithmeabout photographingtheirwedding;it'sallabouttrust. IfIbuildtrustintherelationshipbetweenmyself andthecouple,ultimatelyitwillmakeeveryone relaxed,especiallywhenitcomestotheportrait time.Ialsoreallyencouragethecoupletostep awayfromeveryone(bridalpartyincluded)just tohavetheirowntimetogetherwithmelingering aroundwiththecamera;myaimistojustletthe coupleinteractnaturallybynotover-posingthem butencouragingthemthroughoutthistimeso theyfeelliketheyaregettingthegoods.

Howdoyouapproachthepre-weddingphotos? Thisisatimetohaveafly-on-the-wallapproach withnodirectionnecessary.Iamtheretocapture allthemomentshappening.Myfocusisn'tjust onthebridebecausetherearesomanyother elementstotellthestoryonaweddingday-from thefamilyphotoonthewall,tothebride'sdad rehearsinghisspeech,Iamlookingforimages thatevokeemotionandthatdoesn'talways requiresomeonebeingintheimageeither.

Fromaguest’sperspective,whatisthebest momentofthedaytocaptureforsocial media?Therecessional,asthereissomuch excitementwhentheyheadbackdowntheaisle

cantakeimagesexceptfortheprofessional photographer.Whichisfantasticfortwo reasons:peopleactuallyconcentratetowhat isbeingsaidandtakeitallin,andsecondly, thereisn'taseaofiPhoneandiPadsinthe audience.Thatcanhaveanegativeeffecton theaestheticoftheprofessionalimages,and noonegetsinthewayofthephotographer whoisbeingpaidtodoitwell...Notmuch worsewhensomeonestepsintheaislewith theirphonewhenthebrideiswalkingdown!

Generallyspeaking,what'syourfavourite momenttocapture?Thisissuchatough onebecausetherearesomanymoments throughoutthedaythatcansurpriseme,even aftershootingaround200weddings.Ithink itwillbejustwhereverthemostrawemotion unfolds.Generally,itwouldbepost-ceremony whenguestscongratulatethecouple-so muchexcitementandloveintheatmosphere.

Whatdoyourecommendthebrideand groomdowiththeirphotosoncetheyare ready?Canyourecommendanyplacesto getthemprintedetc.?Sadly,wearenow inasocietywherepeoplearen'tprinting imagesasmuch,whichbreaksmyheart butIamdefinitelyguiltyofthisonemyself. Thereisnothinglikeabeautifullyprinted imagesogototownwiththeprintingbut don'tskimponquality. FormorestorieslikethisvisitViva.co.nz

Lookingforthe rightlocation foryour weddingor specialevent?

BargeShowGrounds Events Centre,Maunu Rd,Whangārei is theperfect one-stop venue forsocials,special events or weddings.

Peaceful,park-likegroundsand modernfacilities–fromphotos toreception,BargeShowgrounds EventsCentreoffersoptions andflexibility.Thefunctionroomscan beconfiguredtosuityourneeds,with roomsadjustedtoaccommodatelargeor smallguestnumbers.

Floortoceilingwindowsframebeautiful ruralviewsaddingaspaciousandprivate ambiencetoyourspecialevent.Youcan alsoutilisethelarge,undercoververanda areawhichopensontotherollinggreenlawns -perfectforalfrescoentertainingwithcaféstyletablesandchairs.Orflowontothelawn usingcomplimentarywhiteoutdoorchairs.

TheEventsCentrehasafullrange oftablesandchairsandfunction equipmenttoensurethesmoothrunning ofanygathering.Hireoftheseisincludedin theroomhireprice.Complimentarywhite

pleatedskirtingisavailablefortoptables,along withfreeuseoffairylightsifrequired.

Foranultrahassle-freefunction,thereis anon-sitecaterer,andafullrangeofcrockery, glasswareandlinenavailable.

Easycarparkingandsinglelevel access,makesBargeShowgroundsEvents Centreidealforallagesandmobility.

Locallyownedandoperatedandthevenue ofchoiceforhundredsofspecialoccasions, findouthowspecialmemoriescanbemade atBargeShowgroundsEventsCentre.

Alwayshappytohelp,contact Hollyat094383109extn2to discussyoureventrequirementsor emailevents@wap.org.nz

Whetheryou’reoptingforacoolbridal jumpsuitoraclassiclaceweddingdress, yourfootwearwillcompleteyourlook. Withthatinmind,we’veroundedup someweddingshoetipstomakesureyoupickthe rightpair!

InvestinaDecentPairofWeddingShoes

Oneofthemostimportantweddingshoetipsisto makesureyou’reinvestinginthebestqualitypair youcanafford.Therearelotsofshoebrandsthat specialiseinmakingkeepsakeweddingshoesthat canbewornalldaylong.

SticktotheHeightYou’reComfortableWith Ifyoudon’teverweartoweringheels,nowisnot thetimetotry.Weddingshoescomeinarangeof differentheightssoyou’lleasilyfindapairyou’re comfortablewith.Makesureyouoptforapairthat areeasyandcomfortabletowalkin–yourwedding dayinvolvesalotofwalkingaround!

TheSocksandHairdryerTrick

Ifyou’vealreadygotyourdreamweddingshoesand they’reabitsnug,thiseasyhackwillhelpthemfit better.Putonthethickestsocksyouown,thengently heatyourshoeswithyourhairdryer(onlowheat) andslipthemon.Thiswillhelpyourshoestoexpand slightlytogiveyourfeetabitmoreroom!

GetaBack-UpPair

Youmightloveyourweddingshoesmorethananything elseintheworld–butitstillpaystohaveaback-uppair. Treatyourselftosomebridal-styletrainersorcomfyflats tostashawayatyourreception.Asthedancingtakesoff, you’llneedthem.

PlanYourPhotoOpportunities

Ifyou’veinvestedinyourdreambridalshoes,oneof ourkeyweddingshoetipsistomakesureyouletyour photographerknowthatyouwantthemincludedinyour photos.Thatwayyou’llgetsomefabulousimagesofyouin yourfabulousshoes!

BuyaSizeUp

Ifyou’restuckinhalf-sizeshoelimbo,alwaysgoforasize up.Yourfeetwillswellthroughoutthedayandyoucan addremovableinsolesforamorecomfortablefit,whereas ifyougoforasmallersize,it’sonlygoingtohurtmoreas thedaygoeson…

Don’tJustGoforWhite

Don’tbetrickedintothinkingyouonlyhavetohavewhite weddingshoes.Youcangoforanycolour!Andifyoudo optforthetraditionalwhiteweddingshoe,brandslike RainbowClubofferaservicewherethey’lldyeyourshoes foryou–sotheycanbemorewearableafterthebigdayor willexactlymatchyourbridesmaiddresses.

ThinkAbouttheVenue

Consideryourweddingvenuewhenyou’repickingyour weddingshoes–somehistoricweddingvenuesdon’t

STYLEFILE: Chloe Hill

TheVivacontributing fashioneditor’s refreshinglydetermined displayofcolouris exactlywhatweneed rightnow.

Withadecadein magazinepublishing underherbelt,Chloe Hillwaswell-versed intheartoffashionwhenshe establishedherselfasafreelance stylist.Nowacontributingfashion editorforVivaMagazine,thePōnekebasedfounderofCoolPrettyCool celebratesthejoyofclothes,piecing togethervisualtreatsforthosewho loveandthinkdeeplyabouthow andwhywedress.Herpersonaltaste iseminentlywearable;afun,often riotousdisplayofcolourthatputsher happinessfirst.

Here,Chloeshareswhyshe’sa faithfulcardi-wearer,herexperience withclothingasanewmotherand findingclarityinhersenseofself.

Describe yourpersonalstyle... Eclecticandcolourful.Random.It’s trulyamixofeverythingthatmakes mehappy,whileprioritisingcomfort.

Whoareyourfavouritedesigners?

Locally,IloveWynnHamlyn,his piecesaresoclassicbutalwayswith atwist.Twenty-sevenNamesand Havilaharealsofavouriteswiththeir eclecticuseofcoloursandprints. They’rebothbasedhereinPōneke. PradaandMiuMiucollectionsare foreveronthetopofmywishlist. Miucciaisageniusinmybooks. RaveReviewinSwedenrepurposes amazingsecondhandpieceslike blanketsintoluxurygarments.In Australia,RomanceWasBornfor theirwhimsicalandplayfuldesigns thatalwaysmakemehappy.

Tellusthestoryofyour favourite pieceofclothing...

IhaveaPradabeadedcardiganI takeeverywherewithme.It’sawork ofart.TheAW17collectionwas jam-packedwithpiecesIlovedbutat thetimeIthoughtacardiganwould makemyslightlydaggystyleeven daggier.Butaftersourcingthisone throughafriendafewyearslater,it totallychangedmymind.I’vebeen acardi-wearereversince.Yes,lots of60-pluswomenstopmeonthe streettocomplimentmeonitbut

I’mokaywiththat.Theyclearlyknow what’shot.

Isthereanything youlook forwhen youshop?

Myrulewhenaddingsomethingto mywardrobeisithastobereally special.Toomanytimesinthepast Ijustifiedbuyingaclassicorplain piecebecauseIthoughtIwould wearithundredsoftimes.Inever wouldandthosebasicpiecesnever mademehappy.Irealiseditwas bettertoonlyaddpiecesthatwere joyfulandfun,hencemystylehas becomeamishmashofamazing, eclecticpieces.Noteverythinggoes together—butthat’sokay.

What,inyouropinion,makesstyle? Wearwhatyoulove.It’sclearwhen peoplearedressingforthemselves andbeingtruetowhattheyenjoy.

Whatinfluences your fashionsense? Art,colours,nature,people.Anything Iseethatmakesmeexcited.Itry toexposemyselftonewthings wheneverIcan,exploringgardens andgalleries,orsimplywalking aroundbusycitystreets.

Were youintofashiongrowingup? IlovedgettingdressedupbutIdidn’t haveanyknowledgeoffashion beyondmymum’swardrobeand thelocalmall.TheonlymagsIread beforeIlefthighschoolwereCleo, DollyandCosmo.But,luckily,my parentswereverycreativewithart andsewing,sotheyfosteredinmea loveofcreativityearlyon.

How, ifatall,has your relationship with fashionchangedthis year? Ihadababyandmovedhometo TeWhanganui-a-Taraayearago, sothathasdrasticallychangedmy relationshipwithfashion.I’vebeen limitedtowearingclothesIcan breastfeedin,whichhasmeant somanyofmyfavouritehigh-neck pieceshavebeenremovedfrom rotation.I’mmorelikelytothrowon aneasy-towearprinteddressand sweaterwithsneakers,andoftenskip anythingsuperdetailedorhardto wash.Iworeasuedeskirttheother dayandgotwateralloveritwashing dishes.Ialsothinkabouthatsalot moregivenAotearoa’sharshsun. Capsaremygo-tolately.

Thereare challengesahead for designers, from navigating apostCovid world toworkingtowards

sustainability.Isthereanythingthat youhopewill emergecreatively? Thatconsumerswilldriveadesire forspecialmade-toorderpieces, whichwillmeanbrandscanhavea morethoughtfulandfunapproach todesign.Notbeinglimitedbymass producingstylesforwholesaleorders, insteadconnectingdirectlywith customerswithmeaningfulpieces.

Wheredo youloveto shop? Hunters&CollectorsonCubaStin Wellingtonisamazingforamixof designerlabelsandno-namevintage. Italwaysmakesmehappypopping inthereandsqueezingthroughthe racks.RecycleBoutiqueandTatty’sare amazingforsecond-handfindstoo, andbothhaveawesomeonlinestores.

TheultimatewhiteT-shirt: Idon’tunderstandwhiteT-shirts. Howpeoplemanagetokeepthem clean?Minearediscolouredafterlike twowears,they’resimplytoomuch maintenance.Iwouldsaygofora colouredvintageteeinstead.

Asignaturescent youaccessorise with: IjustdiscoveredAbel’sPink beautifulIris,it’sbeautifuland naturaland,evenbetter,it’smadeby aNewZealander(hi,Frances).

FormorestorieslikethisvisitViva.co.nz

5THINGSCHLOEISCOVETING

Zambesi’sfloralmackintosh

Theyproducedthisinpink fortheirmain collectionbutLiz foundsomeextrafloral fabric sodid aselectruninthisprint.Obsessed.

ThisVivienneWestwoodvintageponcho Perfect forsomeextraspringsunprotection hereinPōneke.

AMiuMiucrochetbonnet

I’msosickof washingmy fringeand stylingmyhair.This wouldmakemylife mucheasier.Thebuilt-inmask would behandy too.

LuckyDipXKaukaushirt

Thinkingahead to summer,oneof LuckyDip XKaukau’sbeautifulshirts, madeoutofbusinessshirtsand homelinens, wouldbe wonderful.

MaggieMarilyn’s‘Could

HaveBeenYours’dress It’sblack, soanunexpectedchoiceforme,but it’ssospecialandpost-breast feeding IknowI would wearitallthetime.

WEDDINGS…

BYKARENMATICH&CHERYL POLWART,POLWARTHDESIGN

Despit id,lockdownsandthedaunting possibilitythatyourspecialoccasionmay havetobedownsizedorpostponed,youare inluckMOB’s,MOG’sandweddingguests. Wehaveasensationalselectionofgarmentsforyouto choosefromthissummerthankstoourinnovative designerswhohaveexcelledintheaftermathof Covid.Theyhaveproducedclothingthatisfun,flirty, colourfulandsustainable;clothingdesignedtogiveus backthoseoptimisticmomentsofjoyhoweverwaywe cancelebratethem.

Oneofourfavouritedesigners,Laurindafrom LoobiesStorycontinuallyprovidesuswithgorgeous upliftingcreationsandthissummerisnoexception. Withheruniquefabriccombinationsandvibrant colours,herdesignsareflatteringandfeminine.Styles likethesleevelesspetalmididressinviscosecotton ticktheboxforahighsummerweddingwithitscool handleanddaringcolourway.TheoversizedBoho dressisagreatchoiceforwomenwhoprefercomfort overspandexandifyou’reatwo-piecefan,celebratein therelaxedfitsilkviscoseblouseteamedwithaplain pleatedskirt.

Forthegirlwholovesvibrantlonglinesandfloaty,or aslightlymorestructuredlinenlook,CuratebyTreliseis awinnerinspiringboldlypatterneddesignsthatare funandaffordable.Instandoutbrightpatternedpinks, plainorrichduskyfloralcombinations,theseoversized dresseswithorwithoutsleeves,gracethekneeor ankleandareaperfectsolutionforthebeachorgarden wedding.Teamedwithmatchinglong-linedjacket, stepoutwithamagnificentshoe,coordinatedclutchand maskandyou’regoodtogo.

WelovethemomentsofjoywegetfromLaniathe Label.Designer,Roseshowcasessimpledesigns aroundexquisitenaturalfabricsandthissummer heruniquelycolouredsilkypastelblousesand

dresseswithasilverysheenarebeautiful.Theshiftdress inprintedviscose,withaVnecklineandelbowlength sleevelooksfabulousteamedwithagreatjacketand snazzyshoesforthemaineventorthrownbackwitha whitesneakerandcardiorjeanjacketforthatlunchdate later.Thesespecialdressesandblousesneedtobeworn.

Forthoseofyouwhoarelookingforthedream outfit–the‘I’monlydoingthisoncesoI’mgoingall out”,littlenumber,thereisnogoingpastTreliseCooper andMossandSpyforuniquenessandstyle.Trelisewill alwaysdesignafloatypinksilkwithrufflesand tucksthatoozesfemininity.It’shersignaturepiecewitha differenceeachyearandwillbecherishedbythegirlwho lovesthatlook.Also,hersilkdressandjacketensembles aremasterpiecesforthetallgirlwithbroadshoulderswho cancarryoversized.IronicallyTreliserockstheseaswellso there’snorules.

MossandSpy,ontheotherhand,hasamorefitted handle,preferringheavilyembroidered,hand-beadedtulle dressesthatarefigure-huggingwithknitslipslikethe ValerieDressorplungingVnecklinegownswithfitted bodice,slimsleeves,andfullskirts.Designer,Leahselects luxuriousfabricsthatareboldly-colouredorsubtly patterned,likeherfull-lengthMatisseGowninsequined duskyfloralsthatsuitsanyformaloccasion.

Wearelovingtheclothesthissummer.Thereisa lightbrightfeelingaboutthemthatispositiveand exciting.Weareproudofourdesignersandwhatthey haveachievedunderdifficultcircumstancesgloballyand lookforwardtogivingyouafunflirtycolourfulshopping experienceeverytime.

YouStill FrillMe Tunic by TreliseCooper

Celebrate agood hairdayeveryday

atXtremeShampooShop &Salon

OwnerVikkiBaylyandherexperienced teamstockawiderangeoftop productsforallhairtypesandthey alsoprovideaprofessionalhairsalon usingluxurybrands.

Vikki’spassionforhairproductsand thelatestinnovationsinproducingbetter, safer,moreconditioningtreatments forhairwasthemotivationforopening theXtremeShampooShoppe.

‘‘Wechooseourproductsreallycarefully fromcompaniesthathavehighstandards,’’ shesays.‘‘Wehaveto,becauseourclients everydiscerningaboutusingproducts thataresulphateandparaben-free.They’re muchmoresavvyandtheyexpecttogetthe bestrecommendations.

Herbiggestbuzzcomesfromclientswhotell her:“Thatproductyousoldmewassogood!’’

Over30topprofessionalbrandsare availablehereinWhangāreiunderoneroof, savingthetriptoAuckland.Theyinclude popularbrands:Joico,MoroccanOil, GHD,Angel,Pump,Olaplex,PaulMitchell, dge,Matrix,Redken,DeLorenzo,Biolage,

Meducuiticals,Nioxin,CloudNine,Nak, Angel,KevinMurphy,KMS,American Crew,L’OrealandSchwarzkopf.Available byphoneorderifpreferred.

Vikkibelievesthereisnopointpaying hundredsofdollarstocolourandstyleyour hair,thenneglectingmaintenanceforyour beautifulresults.Sotheteamareproudto sharetheirknowledgeonallthehaircare andstylingbrandswiththeircustomers. Thegoalistoeducatepeopleinhair care-fromthestunningtop-of-the-line productsandrecommendationstothe on-sitesalonprovidingafullrangeof professionalservices.

Vikkileadsahighly-experienced teamofstylistsandcolouristswhowork togethertocreateanoutstandingexperience andexceptionallevelofservicetoclients,whatever theirrequirementsmaybe.

Whetheritisforacut,style,treatmentorcolour,the salonpridesitselfonlisteningandsatisfyingclientsby creatingeffortlessandwearablehairwithcreativeflairthat nevergoesoutofstyle.

Seetheteamtodayandstartyourhair’sjourney!

Lift,shapeanddefine with Dermal Filler

Whilelip enhancementisone of themostcommonlyknown dermal filler treatments—itcan also be used to contourand plump thefaceinother areas. Cheeks,jawlineand more Theteamat Caci have givenusthe didn't know youcou

HowdoesDermalFilleractually

Dermalfillerisaninjectablege hyaluronicacid–anaturallyoccurring substanceinyourbody.Oncei fillerplumpsuptheskin,smoothingaway lines,foldsandwrinklesinthe volumetothecheeksandlips. toseeinstantresults.

WherecanIhaveDermalFiller?

AtCaci,theteamtreatthefollowingar

•Cheeks

Administeredaboveandaround cheeks,thiscangiveyouam definedbonestructure.Italso helpsmoothwrinklesandp skinthatarearesultoflosselasticity (somethingthatcomeswit

•NasolabialFolds

Thelinesbetweenthenos cornersofthemoutharep addvolumeandlifttheskin. tosmoothdeepwrinklesand heavycreaselines.

•Jawline&Chin

Chinandjawlineenhancement toreducetheappearanceoff aresultofagingorgenetics—a.k.athe doublechin.Itcanhelpcreate projectedbonestructurew improvetheappearanceo recessivechinaswellasdefinethejawline.

•MarionetteLines

Thoselinesfromthecorners eithersideofyourchincano wrinklesandlines.Usingfillerinthi volumeandhelpstomovethe mouthforward,smoothingline amoreupwardsturnedmouth.

•Lips

Lastbutnotleast,lips. Ad and plumpnessto yourlips balancingunevenlipsorhelp gummysmile.This is oneofCaci’ popularfillertreatments.

Findoutif

Takingthe mystery out of conjunctivitis

If youhaveconjunctivitis, it meansthe lining of your innereyelids and thewhitesofyoureyes(theconjunctiva)isred andswollen.Itcan make your eyessticky andirritated.

Allergicconjunctivitis

Allergicconjunctivitisiscausedbyanallergyto pollen,cosmeticsorothersubstances.Ifyouor afamilymemberhasallergicconjunctivitis,your eyewillberedanditchybutwithoutanyyellow discharge.Ifit’sworseinthepollenseason,it’saform ofhayfever.

•The eyeismildly redandbloodshotand theremaybea cleardischarge thatmakesit feel sticky.

•Ifyou pulldown your lowereyelid youwill clearlysee rednessinthelowereyelidlining.

Conjunctivitisissometimescalled‘stickyeye’or‘pink eye’.Itcanbecausedbyabacterialorviralinfection, chemicalirritation,ultravioletburnoranallergy.In new-borns,thecausemaybeincompletelyopened tear-drainageducts.

Infected(Viral/Bacterial)conjunctivitisis contagious.

Childrenwithconjunctivitisshouldnotgotoschool ordaycareuntildischargehasstopped.Ifyour child’seyesarewaterybutnotred,thentheymay haveablockedtearduct.Ifthisisthecase,then theyarenotcontagious,anditisokforthemtogoto schoolordaycare.

Infectedconjunctivitisoftencomeswhendirty fingers,towels,handkerchiefs,orfaceclothstouchthe eye.Symptomsappear2–10days(usually3–4days) afteryoucatchconjunctivitis.

•Ifyouorafamilymemberhasinfected conjunctivitis,thewhitepartofyoureyewillbered andfeelgritty.

•Thisisfollowedbyaclear,greenoryellowdischarge fromyoureyewhichformsacrustovernightand canmakeyoureyelidssticktogetherinthemorning.

Bacterialinfectionusuallyoccursinbotheyesand producesmoredischarge.

Viralinfection(Verycommon)ismore likely to be injust oneeyewith only aslightdischarge and may go along with othersymptomslikea sorethroat.

Theeyewillusuallybebrightred(butsometimes onlymildlyred),uncomfortable,andwatery,frequently withpuffyeyelids.Thereisoftenatenderlymphnode thesizeofapeajustinfrontoftheear.

•Itwillbeitchy.

‘Stickyeye’ininfants

Infantsoftendevelop‘stickyeye’astheirtearducts aretinyandcaneasilygetblocked.Whenthishappens aclearorwhitestickyfluidcollectsintheeye.Ifthe eyeisn’tredorinflamed,thisdoesn’tusuallyneed treatment.

Whentoseeyourdoctor

Ifyouareworriedaboutyoureyes,orifyouhave: •moderatetosevereeyepain

•sensitivitytolight(photophobia)

•anyblurredorreducedvision

•anyinjurytotheeye(suchasbeinghitor scratched),orchemicalsintheeye

•afeverandaregenerallyunwell

•increasedswelling,redness,andtendernessinthe eyelidsandaroundtheeye

Treatment

Seeyourdoctor,youmayneedantibioticsifyouhave aninfection,orantihistaminesifyouhaveallergic conjunctivitis.

Self-careforinfectedconjunctivitis

•Takecaretoavoidspreadingtheinfection.

•Avoidtouchingorrubbingyoureyes.

•Don’tsharefaceclothsortowelswithothers.

•Washyourhandsoftenandusepapertowelsfor drying.

•Ifyouhaveviralconjunctivitisitwillusually disappearonitsown.

•Ifyou havebacterial conjunctivitis, your doctormayprescribeantibioticdropsor ointment.Antihistaminesif youhaveallergic

Allergic conjunctivitis

Thereisitching andrednessofthe eye,swellingofthe conjunctivaand eyelid.

conjunctivitis.Theseshouldbeapplied to your eyesafter gently washingawayanydischarge from your eyelidswith warm water. Usethe medicineasdirected.

•Childrenshouldstayawayfromschoolordaycare whilethereisdischargefromtheeyes.

•Self-careforallergicconjunctivitis

•Avoideyemake-up.

•Yourdoctororpharmacistwillbeableto recommendeyedropsorotherantihistamine medication.

Usingeyedrops

•Washyourhandscarefully.

•Removeanydischargefromyoureyewithaclean tissue.

•Ifyour eyehascrustydischarge aroundit, weta clothwith warm waterand placethis over your eyefor aminute.Soaka cotton ballin warm waterand gentlywipeyour eyefromthenose sideoutward. Usinga newcottonwool ball each time, continuedoingthisuntil your eyeisclear. Usea newcottonball forthe other eye.

•Tipyourheadbackorlieonaflatsurface.

Viral conjunctivitis

Rednessofthe eyesandperiodic itching,increased lacrimation.

•Gentlypulldownyourlowereyelidandpositionthe bottlesothedropwillfallintoyourlowereyelid,not directlyontheeyeball.

•Closeyoureyeandblinktohelpspreadthe medicationaroundyoureye.

•Wipeanyextradropsawaywithatissue.

Usingeyeointments

•Whenbothdropsandointmentare needed, dothedropsfirst.Iftheointmentis used once daily,applyitatbedtimeasit canbluryour vision.

•Gentlypulldownyourlowereyelidwiththe oppositehand.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Redness,dryness oftheeyesandthe skinaroundthem, mucopurulent discharge.

•Positionthenozzleattheinnerpartofyoureyenear yournose.

•Don’tletthetipoftheointmenttubtouchyoureye orlashes.

•Squeezea1cmribbonofointmentontotheinside ofyourlowereyelid.Beginatthesideofyoureye nearyournoseandmovetowardstheouteredgeof youreye.

•Givethetubeahalf-turn.Thishelps‘cut’theribbon ofmedicine.

Feelingasthough

Covid’s robbed youofpossibility?

Thelast18monthshavebeen challengingforeveryoneintheirown uniqueways,butacommonthing I’veseenacrosstheboardisasense ofgriefaroundthepassingoftimeandfeeling asthoughwe’vebeenrobbedofit.Timetodo thethingswereallydesiretodo–tohangout withlovedones,tostudy,tostartcareers,to travel,togrowbusinesses,tobeyoungand fancy-free.

Duringhardshipandtimesofuncertainty it’sverynormaltofeelthisway,andit’ssoeasy topushdownyourdesiresandsay‘notnow’.

Butthetruthiswhenisitevertheright time?Whendoestheworldeverofferyou aperfectmomentallatoncetodowhat youwanttodo?I’dsayveryrarely…Lifeis not,andhasneverbeen,aseriesofsingular experiencesatatime.Lifeisacollectionof momentsallwrappedupinone-thegood,the bad,thebeautiful,theuncertain,thepossible.

Justbecauseitdoesn’tlook perfectorhowyouimaginedit wouldbe,doesn’tmeanit’snot fullofpossibility. Sothat’smyinvitationforyou–What dreamsanddesireshaveyouputonthe backburnerduringthistime?

•Insteadofsaying‘notnow’tothat callingwithin,howmightyoumake roomforittobeapossibility?

•Whatifyoustoppedwaitingforthe perfectmomenttostartandsimply allowedyourselfthepleasureof exploringwhatitcouldlooklikewith whatyou’vegot? •Whatwouldthefirststepbe,in

Sarah isaninternationallycertifiedHealthandLifestyle Coach,passionateabout helping youliveyourbestlifealifethat’shealthier,happier, and waymorefulfilling.

STRESS LESS

As stress levelshit theirpeak, couldthe antidotelie in your skincare cupboard?Ashleigh Comettiinvestigates antistress skincare.

Look,weallmightbefeelingabit stressed-outrightnowandthat’sokay. Stresscomesinanumberofdifferent forms—physical,environmental, emotionalorpsychological—allofwhichcan exacttheirtollonskin.

Adeepdiveintothescienceofthisreveals thatthebody’sendocrinesystem(whichdictates hormonefunction)behavesinaveryorderly fashionwhenbodyandmindarerelaxed.

However,whenanytypeofstresspresents itself,thesystemmaywaverandaggravateskin concernslikeeczemaorbreakouts.

Skincan’ttellthedifferencebetweenwhich formofstressthebodyisexperiencingbutcan decipherwhetherthestressisacuteorchronic (themostproblematicofthetwo).

Thesensorialnatureofsomebeauty productshasmeantthatsomelevelofmental stressreliefhasalwaysbeenpresentin formulas,butin2021brandsaresteppingit upwiththerapeuticblendsandadaptogenic ingredients(plantsandherbsthataidrecovery) saidtorestoreastateofZenforyourskin.

WHATSTRESSLOOKSLIKEINSKIN

Acne

Anunanticipatedrushincortisolcanalso disruptotherhormones,causinganincrease insebumproduction,whichmayleadto breakouts.Notonlythis,butstresscan interruptthedelicatebalancebetween

goodandbadbacteriainthegut,thereby contributingtoacneflare-ups.

Prematureageing

Stresscannegativelyimpacttheskin’s barrierfunction,whichcancontributeto transepidermalwaterlossandthebreakdown ofcollagentissuethataccelerateskinageing.

Redness

Acompromisedimmunesystemwhenfacing stressistoblameforinflammationinbothskin andbody,exacerbatingcertainskinconditions likepsoriasis,eczemaandatopicdermatitis. Nervoustendenciestopick,scratchoritch irritatedskinwhenstressedonlyserveto furtheraggravatethem,sotrynottotouch.

Darkcircles

Duetosleepdisturbancesorinsomnia,fluid cancollectintheunder-eyearea,thereby increasingtheappearanceofdarkcircles.It’s nothelpedbygravitywhenyouclimboutof bed,whichcanworsenitseffects.

THERISEOFANTI-STRESS

SKINCARE

Asalveforfatiguedskinandstressedmind, anti-stressskincaremayhelpassuageuncertain timeslikethese.Unlessformulatedwith aromatherapeuticingredients,antistress skincarewon’tdoahelluvalottoalleviate

mentalstressbutitcansoothethephysical manifestationsofit.Simplyput,anti-stress skincaretargetsinflammationcausedbystress andrepairsanimpairedbarrierfunction.

Whereanti-stressingredientsareconcerned, expecttoseehyaluronicacidandceramidesto sootheandhydrate,antioxidantsforprotection andpeptidestocounteractskinlaxity. Adaptogensmayalsomakeacameohere,with reishi,ashwagandha,turmericandholybasil commonlyfoundinanti-stressskincare.

FormorestorieslikethisvisitViva.co.nz

LOCK IN THE GOODNESS

Rightnow we’recraving wholesome, grainand vegetable-baseddishes. Angela Casley to therescue.

Loadedwithsuperfoods,thesepumpkincakes arelightlyfriedandservedwithazingyyoghurt sauceandtoppedwitholivesandfeta.

1cupquinoa

2cupsgratedpumpkin

2clovesgarlic,crushed

1springonion,finelychopped 1cupshreddedspinach

½cuprolledoats

1tspgroundcumin

4eggs

Zestof1lemon

½cupchoppedcoriander

150gcrumbledfeta

Oilforcooking Yoghurtdip

½cupyoghurt

¼tspchilliflakes

1tsplemonzest

Topping

½springonion,choppedsmall 8blackolives,chopped 50gcrumbledfeta

1. Placethequinoainapotwith2cupsof waterand¼tspsalt.Bringtoasimmer, coverandcookfor10minutes.Removethe lid,stirthroughthepumpkinandcontinue tocookfor5minutesoruntiltheliquidis absorbed.Cool.

2. Intoalargemixingbowlplacethegarlic, springonion,spinach,oats,cumin,eggs, zest,corianderandfeta,combiningwell. Addthecooledquinoaandmixwell.Chillfor 30minutesinthefridge.

3. Mouldthemixtureintopattiesandplaceon atray.Chilluntilreadytocook

4. Inasmallbowlcombinetheyoghurt,chilli flakesandlemonzest.Setasidetoserve

5. Forthetoppingcombinethespringonion, olivesandfeta.

6. Tocookthecakes,heatalittleoilinafrying pantoamediumheat.Add3or4atatime, cookingfor4minuteseachsideuntilset. Thencontinuetocooktheremainder.Keep intheoventogetwarmifneeded.

7. Servewithalittletoppingandyoghurt sauce.

200gbarley ½lemon

2avocados,halved,stonesremoved

1Tbspoliveoil

1cupmixedsprouts

1cupmixedroastedseedsandnuts

2cupsshreddedspinach

Saltandfreshlygroundpepper

Dressing

¼cupoliveoil

2Tbsplemonjuice

1tsplemonzest

1. Bringapotofsaltedwatertotheboil.Add barley,squeezeinthelemonjuicethenadd thehalflemontothewater.Cookcovered for25minutes.Removethelemon,drain excesswaterandcool.

2. Preheatagrillpanorbarbecuetoamedium heat.Rubtheavocadowithalittleoilthen grilltheopensidefor4minutesuntilgolden.

3. Inalargebowlcombinethebarley,sprouts, seeds,nutsandspinach.Seasonwithsalt andpepper

4. Combinethedressinginasmallbowl andstirthroughthesalad.Servewiththe avocadohalves.

Ausefulstapletohaveinthe cupboardisIsraelicouscous,which isgreatservedalongsideasteaming casseroleorasabasetothisfresh andlightchickensaladrecipe. Crunchyapplesandcucumberwith ayoghurtdressingareabeautiful combination.Iusedspinachfrom thegarden,whichhasbeengrowing inapotallwinteratthebackdoor, withthatrealold-fashionedspinach flavour

2chickenbreasts,cooked

2cupscookedIsraelicouscous ¼cupchoppedtelegraphcucumber

1redapple,thinlysliced

2Tbsplemonjuice

½cupbrazilnuts,roughlychopped 2cupsshreddedspinachleaves

½cupchoppeddill

Dressing

2Tbsplemonjuice

½cupGreekyoghurt

2Tbspchoppeddill 1tsprunnyhoney

1. Chopthechickenintobite-sizedpiecesand placeinalargebowl.Addthecouscous, cucumber,redapple,lemonjuice,nuts, spinachandchoppeddill.

2. Inasmallbowl,combinethelemonjuice, yoghurt,dillandhoney.

3. Drizzleoverthesaladbeforeserving.

PUMPKINANDQUINOACAKESWITHCHILLIYOGHURT

Food stylist /AngelaCasley

Photography /Babiche Martens

Thepandemicenvironmenthas encouragedadaptationsonhowto presentandencouragethepatronto observeartwork.Onlineviewinghas agrowingpresencebuttoviewartinrealtime, face-to-face,ishowwecaptureitstruespirit, thetextureofthemarkmakingonthepaper andthedepthofthepaintontheboard.

Thecurrentexhibition,YesterdayToday

TomorrowatHangarGalleryonCrossStisa fineexampleofanexhibitionbestenjoyed face-to-face.CeciliadeDonatis,CathyTuato’o RossandSallySpicerareallexperiencedartists andexemplifytherawtalentinourcommunity. Theexhibitionreferencesthepast,the contemporaryandthefuturisticinovertonesof realism,andpost-modernistmagicrealism.

Therich,moody,essenceinCeciliaDe Donatis’oilpaintingsenhancetheunexpected elementsinhersubjectmatter.Ceciliaisa cleverpainterandreferencesthefantastic, andmagicrealistthemes.Thereareengaging relationshipswithhumansandtheanimal kingdomandnaturehasastrongpresencein herwork.Thereishumourtoo;in‘Serenade,’ awomanplaysguitartoachimpanzeeamong lushtropicalblooms.Thelargestwork‘A StrangeCreatureIndeed,’isabeautifullyrendered,sensualworkfeaturingawoman inafantasylandscape.Inspiredbygraphic novelsandcomicbooks,thepaintingitselfis conceivedtolooklikeavignetteextractedfrom alongerstory,leavingitopenfortheviewer's imaginationtofillinthegaps.Whathappened beforeandaftertheencounter?Cecilia’s portrayalofadusklandscapeisgivenastrange twistin‘SunsetRays,’wherestingraysflyacross anamberskyprovidingagothicfeeltoan otherwisetranquilpastoralscene.

SallySpicer’swatercolorpaintingsexude awhimsicalplayfulness,especiallyin‘Preen’ wheretheartistposesbehindacarnival-

typemask.Sheisakeenobserverandher portraiturecapturestheessenceofthe individualandtheluminosityofskintones. Throughskillfuldraftsmanshipandsubtlety, Sallycreatesalifepresenceinherportraits.The worksinoilpainthaveavibrancywhereneeded andsoftershadowstoresttheeye.Heruseof chiaroscuroisaclevertreatmentinclusiveof light,shadeandform.

Sallychoosesfamiliarnarrativeasa foundationfortheportrayalofthehuman characterandcondition.Theartist’seyeand handissympathetictotheemotivefeatures ofchildren,theposingisgentleandrelaxed withinasecretgarden-likeenvironment.The workscapturelittlemoments,thewonderof adramaticflowerdiscoveredin‘Alltheearthly things.’Thelargestwork‘Brightening’isan appraisalofSally’spersonalconnectionwith hermodel,astudyofillumination,thelight effectsintheworkarewellconceivedand createamoodfortheviewertoconsider.

CathyTuato’oRosspresentsanastounding collectionofworksonarchivalpaper.

Theworksfeatureherwhanauinposes reminiscentoftraditionalphotographicstudio portraitsofyesteryear.Theyoungwomenare portrayedwithaneasygraceandastrong senseofculture.Theyaresetinabackground withallusionsofperspectiveandcomplex designelements.Propscomprisingladders, swings,chairs,apianoandwhānaupetsadd tothedomesticenvironment.Cathycreatesa scenewherearchitecturallineandpatternation provideaconcisefocusonthesubjectwith lovedonesthefocalpoint.Thestrikingcolor sequenceinsimpaticowiththedarktonesof thecrosshatchedfiguressitscompositionally wellasin‘MasterandHound.’

Alargework’Betweenayoungwomanand herdog,’andthesmallersized‘Youngwoman wouldliketobeatthebeach,’inparticular suggestaPacificastyleandculture.Thereare overlaidtransparenciesonthelargerworks suggestingveils,fractalpatterns,organic butsequenced,undisruptive,evenmoreso asuggestionofdepththroughthelayersof differingmediums.Theworksareaccomplished studiesingraduationsofmutedcolourwashes andcontrolledgraphitedrawing.

TheexhibitionrunsthroughtoOctober24.

TheSilverFestivalisathree-day seriesof45eventssupportedby communitygroupsandclubsin thedistrict.Eacheventoffersan opportunityforseniorstoexplorewhat’s available,trysomethingnew,connectand makenewfriends,beactive,getcreativeand mostimportantlyhavefun!

Whilethefestivalistargetedatolder adults,manyeventsareopentoallages, includingsomeintergenerationalactivities forthewholefamilytoenjoytogether.

TheSilverFestivalisfacilitatedby

CeciliaDeDonatis,Cathy Tuato’oRoss, SallySpicerat Hangar Gallery. September17October24, 2021

AlltheEarthlyThings by SallySpicer

SunsetRays by CeciliaDeDonatis

1976LeylandP76

BYGERALDINECRAW

TheBigBackShedatthePackardMotor Museumdisplaystrucks,militaryvehicles,heavy machinery,andanumberofcars.Onecar,the LeylandP76,oftenattractscomments.British visitorsseethecarisaLeylandandaskwhatitis.Local orAustralianvisitorsremembereitherlovingthe vehicleorhatingit.Whatever,thiscarwasiconicfor itstime.

TheP76wasproducedfrom1973to1975,by LeylandAustralia.Leylandintendedthecartorival theFordFalcon,HoldenKingswoodandChrysler Valiant.Itwasdesignedandbuiltfromscratch,with thenamesupposedlycomingfromitsdevelopmentProject76.Whenthecarwaslaunchedin1973itwas nick-named‘theWedge’becauseofitsshape.

TheentrylevelP76waspoweredbya2663cc 6-cylinderengine,takenfromtheAustinKimberly andAustinTasman(bothcarsexclusivelyAustralian). However,thetop-of-the-lineP76featuredanaluminium 4416ccV8–uniquetothisvehicle.

TheP76offeredvariousadvancedfeaturesinthebig

carcategory,suchasrackandpinionsteering,front-hinged bonnet,andpower-assistedbrakestonameafew.Thecar waslighterthanothervehiclesofthesametype,designed toproducebetterfueleconomy.Itslargebootcouldhold a44-gallondrum;thisbecameoneofitssellingfeatures.

Fishingtips&tales

Yahoo,wecangofishingagain!Doubleyahoo-outside WhangāreiHarbourthesnapperarefishingverywell.

Asyouleavetheharbourentranceandheadtoward theChickenIslands,aboutonethirdtohalfwayacross, oversandinaround40mdeep,isahotspot.Overthe weekend,ofSeptember18and19,thisspotwaseasyto findwithabout30boatsfishinghereoverquitealarge area.SoftbaitersweredoingverywellandIsawsome verybigsnapperbeingcaught.ReportsI’veheardsaid itdidn’tmatterwhatsize/typeorcolouryouused.Many boatscaughtlimitbagsinshorttime.Onecouplecaught theirlimitinthefirsthouroffishingsohadtogohome early,alittledisappointedasitwasalovelydaytobeon thewater.Otheranglerslandedgoodnumbersofgurnard usingTarakihirigs,afewJohnDorywerealsocaught, someofthesewereaverygoodsize.

TrishandIfishedhereafterafutileeffortfishing inclosealongthe“MadMile”.Weonlyhadbaitsand onlycaughtonefish,anexceptionallylargeblue codwhilesoftbaitersarounduswerepullingthemin.

WITHJOHNVOWLESS

Reportsalsosaidthatthebestfishingwaswhenthecurrent wasrunningandthefishwentoffthebiteatthetopand bottomofthetide.

Therewereverygoodsnappersoftbaitingdownoff theRuakakaBeacharea;outinfrontofthegolfcourseand outfromtherivermouths,depthsof18to25metresfished verywell.Therewerealsoanumberofboatsmuchfurther outanditislikelytheywerealsosnapperfishing.

Asweonlyhadbaitonboard,TrishandImovedtoa terakihiareaandcaughtafewnicefish.Theterakihiusually comeonthebitearoundaboutnowandshouldbearound inreasonablenumbersthroughtoFebruarynextyear.We encounteredaverylargepodofdolphins,whichwasgreat toseeandmadeourdayonthewaterevenmoreenjoyable.

Diverswithairbottlesaregettingscallopsbut,fordivers offtheshore,thepickingsareabittough.

Weliveinamagicbeautifularea,ourharbourandour surroundingwatersareawonderfulresourcetoenjoy andrespect!

Tightlines

Unfortunately,Leylandrushedtheassemblyprocess ofthefirstP76s,resultinginpoorqualityandsome reliabilityproblems.Thefirstfuelcrisisandworker strikesmeant,by1974,salesofthecarhadslumped. Therefore,BMCendedproductionin1976.Althoughthe P76receivedtheWheelsMagazine,CaroftheYearaward in1973,itwaslabelledalemoninAustralianmotoring history.Evenso,thecarstillhasaloyalfollowing.

Benchtopsare by farthe hardest kitchen finishtodecide on.It caneasilyblowout your renovationbudget andthe productcan drasticallyalter the look andfeelofyourkitchen.

Itappearsthateverymanandhisdog importssometypeofbenchtopmaterial, andasaconsumeritcanbedifficult tonavigatethroughthevastselection availablefindingtheperfectfitforyourdesign. Thebestthingtostartwithisthelookof thebenchtopthatismostappealing.

choosetheright benchtop foryourkitchen

BYLAURAHEYNIKE,ONEROOF

Doyoulikeaconcretelook,natural stone,marbleorasolidcolour?Thiswill helpnarrowdownthebroadselectionof compositesyouneedtoselectfrom.So ifyouhavenoideawhatyoulikeyouwill getoverwhelmedveryquickly!

Intermsofbenchtoptrends,they

conservativelychangeeveryfewyearsas technologydevelops.Trendsdon’tdrastically change,marblehasbeenaroundforyears,as hasstone.

Concretelookisstillshowingquitestrongin thelastfiveyears,andyoucanleavethesparkly pauaorshellbenchtopfirmlyinthe90's.

As aconsumerit canbedifficult to navigatethroughthe

Secondly,welookatyourbudget.Thiswill dictatewhatcompositeyouchooseusingyour selectedgraphic.

Themaintypesinorderofcostarenatural marble,stone,compactsurfaces,engineered stoneandhighpressurelaminate.Thereare somecosteffectivegraniterangesthatarethe samepriceasahighpressurelaminatesoif youareonthelowerendofthebudgetyoucan keepaneyeoutforthese.

Allofthesecompositesshouldhaveyour desiredgraphicfinishavailable.

Wespecifyalotofcompactsurfacesand engineeredstoneduetotheselection,material performanceandlowmaintenance,butwelove headingouttothestonewarehousesandhandselectingaslabwithourclients.

Theexperienceistrulyrewa ourclientswalkintotheirki andseetheone-of-a-kinds justforthem.

Lastly,afewtricksaboutbenchtops.

Youcanfinishtheedgeso ways.Mitrededgeisthemo haveawaterfallendotherwiseif benchtoponthetopsurfac edge,apenciledgeisthemos

TheEuropeantrendwhichisslowlytrickling intoourstyleistogoslightlythinneronthe profilesomeevenhavingundercutedgessoit appearssleekandlessbulky.

Doingcutoutsof yourbenchtopis ajob best left to theprofessionals.

installedseventotendayslater.Thismakes ittrickybecausethefinalfit-offcan’tbe completeduntilthisstepiscompleted.

Ifyouarehavinganunder-mountedor butlerssink,anHPLisn’tsuitabledue watertightness,andmostkitchensoptforan atemplateisthendone,andthebenchtop

Ipersonallywouldn’tDIYabenchtopasfrom experienceitisraretocomeacrossastraight wallanddoingthecutoutsisatrickyjob.It’s besttoleaveittotheprofessionals.

vastselectionofgraniteslabs.

Storagesolutions to get yourhome moreorganised

Aplace foreverythingand everythingin itsplace –well, that’s thegoal. Unfortunately, it’s easy,whenlifegetsbusy, to drop theballand before you know it,you can’t find that all-important school notice, favouritehandbag or muchneeded warm jacket.

Nomatterhowmanypeoplelivein yourhousehold,it’shelpfultobe organisedinordertostayontopof things.Itmeansyou’llknowwhere yourcarkeyswillbewhenyouleavethehouse eachday.

Thebeautyofusingpainttobeorganisedis thatit’sfun.BrendaNgatai,colourconsultant withResenesaysReseneFXChalkboardPaint isavibrantwaytokeeptrackofstorageand comesinarangeofcolours.“ReseneSpaceCote LowSheenalsoworksperfectlywithchalk towriteon,”shesays.Scribbleawayonmini blackboardlabelsorhavealargechalkboard inyourlivingareathateveryonecanread.

“MakeuseofResenetestpots,whichcomein allResenecolours.They’realsogreattopaint withonsmallercontainersorwickerorseagrass wovenboxes,”Brendasays.“It’saninexpensive waytomakeagreatdifference.”Startinone roomandyou’llgetintothemindsetofbeing organised.Thisshouldhaveaflow-oneffectto otherrooms!

Wecreatebeautifulandfunctionaloutdoorliving spacestoenhanceyourhomeandlifestyle.

Whetheryou’reextending afamilylivingareaor creating aspaceforentertaining,ourproudlyNew Zealand-designedandmanufacturedroofing systemisspecificallymadefortheNewZealand coastalenvironment.

WearebasedinBreamBayandofferservices aroundNorthland.

Pleasegetintouchifyouwantustohelpyou create abeautifuloutdoorroomatyourplace.

Wehavenumeroussatisfiedcustomershappyto showcasetheirstructurestointerestedpeople.

Lineasetofshelveswithcontainersand writeonthefrontwhatbelongsineach. Youmayhaveanartcabinetforthekids. Categorisetheitems–paint,crayons,brushes, glue–ineachcontainer.It’llmakearttimefun forthekidsasthey’llknowwheretofindwhat theyneed.Cleaninguptimewillbeeasiertoo, witheverythinghavingahome.

LauraHeynike,directorofPocketspace Interiors,hasnoticedagreaterneedforbetter organisationinthehomeaftertheglobal pandemicsetin.Morefamilymembersare spendingmoretimeathome,sowecan’t bearoundcluttereveryday.“Gettingyour homeorganisedhasmatteredevenmore nowasworkingandschoolingfromhomehas madeusrealisehowmanythingsdon’thave suitableplacestogo!”shesays.Withmoreof usworkingfromhome,ourhomesneedtobe kepttidyandorganisedtomakelifeeasyfor eachother.“UseReseneSpaceCoteLowSheen toeasilytransformoldwoodenboxesorcrates intostorage,”shesays.Byaddingwheels,you

canmovethemaroundeasilyandslidethem intounusedspaces.

“Theidealspacesforcolourcodingare yourhomeofficeandchildren’stoyarea,” Laurasays.“Allowyourchildrentopickout coloursthattheylike-itmayencourage themtoputawaytheirtoys!”Lauraalso recommendsusingReseneSpaceCoteLow Sheen:“Thesurfacesarewipeableand durable,whicharetwofunctionalmust-haves whenre-organising.Ifyourpantrygetsabit outofhand,agreatwaytotidytheclutter isbylabellingwirebasketsorboxeswith ReseneFXChalkboardPaint.Thatwayifyou rearrangeandneedtheboxforsomething else,youcanwipeawayandstartagain! Labellingcontainersisalsoidealforlinen cupboardsoryourgarage,labellingtools ortracingyourfavouritegardentoolwith chalkboardpaint.”

Colourcodingcantieinwithyourhome’s décortoo.Thinkbeautifulcoathooksinthe hallwayinroyalblueandmustard,perfect

setagainstaduskybluebackdrop.“Ifyou havekidswhohurlschoolbagsandshoes indifferentdirectionswhentheygethome, makethemastorageareawithpersonalised colours,”saysPennyFussell,interiordesigner atHomeCreative.“Youcanalsocolourcode woodencratesforshoes,getsomemetal hooksandpaintthemupinadifferentcolour tomatchandalittlepersonalisednametag foreachchild.Kidswillbemoreinterestedin usingastoragespaceiftheyhaveownership overit.”

Ifyourwallsarepaleneutral,paintshapes inboldcoloursontop.Fromhereyoucan layershelvesinsimilarhues.

Inyourlivingarea,colouradifferent cupboarddoorforeachfamilymember.Here theycankeeptheirschoolbags,homework andotherdailynecessities,knowingwhereto findthingsandreturnthingseachday.

Whenitcomestochildren’sroomsconsider colourcoordinatingLego.Paintcontainersin thecolouroftheLegopiecesthatwillbekept

ineachbox.Displaytheirbooksinbeautifully paintedshelvesontheirbedroomwalls.Have funwithasetofdrawersintheirbedrooms, paintingapictureontothefaceofthedrawers themselves.Paintanoldcrateabeautifulhue, installwheelsonthebottomtoeasilykeep booksandtoyshiddenawayinsideandrolled outwheneversuits.Outdoors,paintalarge woodenboxwithalidanduseitasaplaceto storetennisracquets,ballsandskippingropes.

Applyagorgeouscolourtotheutilityarea ofyourhome,makingitanattractivefeature wherekidswillknowthey’llfindtheirjackets, gumbootsandhats.Paintaladderinahue thatwilltieinwithyourdécoranduseitas atowelrackinyourbathroom.Inyourlinen cupboard,usepaintedbasketswithclothesfor eachfamilymember.It’llencouragethemto puttheirclothesawaythemselves.

Manyofthesestorageideasdon’tjustserve apracticalpurpose–theycanbepresentedin afun-loving,welcomingwaythatultimately enhancesyourhome.

Howtonail your linen organisation thisspring

BYHOUZZ

Linen is somethingthatevery family needsand owns. Whetheryourfamilyhas two membersorten.There’s one thing forsure, somewherein your home,you arestoring sheetsand towels.So what’s thebest wayto keep them neat andtidy?

VanessaWalker,NewZealand& AustraliaEditoratHouzz(houzz. co.nz),hascompiledaseriesof practicaltipsfromprofessionalsin thecommunityforpeoplelookingtogettheir messylinenstorageorganised,onceandforall. Themagicnumber24%ofKiwihomeowners smarteneduptheirstoragesolutionswith thepurchaseofneworganisationsystems whenupdatingtheirhomes,accordingto Houzzresearch.Thefirststeptodecluttering isfiguringoutwhatisanecessityversuswhat needstobeletgo.ProfessionalsonHouzz advisethatyoushouldkeeptwotothreesets ofsheetsforeachbedinyourhome,andtwo tothreetowelsforeachfamilymember.The ideaisthatyouhaveonesetinuse,onesetin thewashandonesetreadytogoifyouneed themquickly.

Separatesets

Whether your existinglinenor towel storageiskeptinacupboard,under thebed,shelvesoronarack -think aboutkeepingdifferent sets separate andclearlymarked.Depending on whatmakesthemostsense to your household,you canorganise orlabel according toeach familymember, bedsizes,sheetortowel types,or even colours(if youhaveaneye for aesthetics).Youmayliketotry to keep sheetsetsinsideoneofthe pillowcases sothatmatchingpiecesdon’t getlost.

Foldandstackup

DeclutterandorganisationexpertsonHouzz saythekeytoavoidingacupboardofdisarray istofoldandstackthesheetsandtowelsyou’re notcurrentlyusing.Itmayseemlikeanart formtosome,butthebeautyofthistipisthat youritemsareorganisedandtidyvisuallyand practically.Makingiteasiertoputcleansheets away,andeveneasiertograbafreshsetwhen changingthebedoratowelbeforehoppingin theshower.

Makeiteasytofindwhatyouneedandget inspiredbywaystoorganiseyourlinenstorage onHouzzhere.

Q:Doeseveryonehaveasleepproblem?

A:Sleepisessentialandvitalto ourwellbeinganddevelopment. Almostallofusatsomepoint actuallywillhaveasleepproblem.Mostof theseareself-limitedandconsistoftheusual short-terminsomniaduetostress.However, morethan50percentofuswillhaveachronic sleepproblemordisorderthatatsomepoint inourlifemaynotonlyharmourphysicalor mentalwellbeing,itmayeventhreatenourlives. Sleepdisordersarebecomingmore prominentanddangerousinourcultureas technologyisdecreasingoursleeptime(Sleep Deprivation)andastheprevalenceofother sleepdisordersisontherise.

Q:HowmuchsleepdoIreallyneed?

A:Theanswervariesconsiderably acrossagegroups—andfrom persontoperson.Formostadults, 7to8hoursanightappearstobethebest amountofsleep.However,infantsgenerally requireabout16hoursofsleepperday,while teenagersneedabout9.

Q:WhathappensifIdon'tgetenoughsleep?

A:Expertsbelievethatsleepis necessaryforournervoussystems toworkproperly.Toolittlesleep

leavesusdrowsyandunabletoconcentrate. Theconsequencescanrangefromdiminished jobperformancetodriverfatigue,which accountsforanestimated100,000motor vehicleaccidentsannually.

Inaddition,certainsleepdisorders,like sleepapnoea,havebeenlinkedtoanumberof medicalconditions,includingdepression,high bloodpressure,irregularheartbeats,andan increasedriskofheartattacksandstroke.

Q:HowcanIgetabetternight'ssleep?

A:Someofthetipsforbettersleeping include:

•Goingtobedatasettimeeachnightand getupatthesametimeeachmorning.This helpsestablishasteadysleepcycle.

•Exercising20to30minutesaday.For maximumbenefit,workoutabout5to6 hoursbeforegoingtobed.

•Avoidingcaffeine,nicotineandalcohol. Smokerstendtowakeearlierduetonicotine withdrawalandalcoholdiminishesdeep sleep(REM).

•Relaxingbeforebed.Awarmbath,reading oranotherrelaxingroutinecanmakeit easiertofallasleep.

•Reading,watchingtelevisionorlisteningto musicifyoucan'tsleep.Theanxietyoflying

inbedandnotbeingabletofallasleepcan actuallycontributetoinsomnia.

Q:Whatisthebestsleepenvironment?

A:Adark,quietandcoolsleep environmentisfelttobeoptimal.A lowercorebodytempisassociated withcircadianrhythmsleepiness.Eliminating alllight(includingtheflickeringlightpattern associatedwithT.V.use)isimportant.

Q:Istherereallyabigdifferencebetweena cheapmattressandamoreexpensiveone?

A:Yes!Likewithallthings,the cheapestmattresswon’tstandup tonightlywearandtear–meaning sagginganddiscomfortwillhappenquicker.

Yourmattressis akey elementofa great sleepenvironment.Itneeds to strike theright balancebetweensoftnessand firmness, conformabilityandsupport.And italsoneeds to meetyouruniquesleepand individualpreferences.

Whenmattressshopping,payclose attentiontohowdifferentmattressesfeel whenyoulieinyourpreferredsleepposition. Sidesleeperstendtoenjoyaslightlysofter mattresstolessentheeffectofpressure pointsatourhipsandshoulders.Stomach snoozersoftenfindtheircomfortzoneina firmerfeel,andbacksleepersbenefitfroma mattressthat’srightinthemiddle–nottoo soft,nottoohard.

UNDERSTANDING THE KUPU Ā-KAUPAPA (TECHNICAL WORDS)ON

ROLLERBLIND FABRICS

BYTRACEYHARVEY, FRAZERHURST

With Summer coming up we startthinking abouthow to best protectour homesfromthe Northland sunandheat.

Weathermaster®

Weathermaster®rollerblindsareanexcellent choiceandwilloftencomplementwhatyou mayalreadyhaveinplace.However,withsuch anextensiverangeoffabricsandcoatings,it cangetabitoverwhelmingwhenyouaretrying tochoosetherightfabric.Youcan,ofcourse, justchoosebasedoncolourortextureoryou canselectthemostdesirablebenefitstoyou,

isrecommendedbyinstitutionsforallergy sufferers.Betteryet,embeddedinthefabrics, thecoatingwon’twashorwearoff.Protecting againstthedevelopmentofbacteria,mildew, algae,anddustmites,iteffectivelyeliminates commonasthmatriggersandassociated odours,ensuringfreshnessandwell-beingin thehome.

Duraguard®

DuraguardFabricProtectoreffectivelyrepels moststain-causingagentswithitsproven, water-based,preventativeformula.Thisfabric protectionistotallyinvisibleandhashighlevels ofstainrepellence,resistingwaterstainsfrom rain,moistureandcondensationandoilystains fromspillsandfingerprints.Duraguardmakes cleaningandmaintainingthefabricmuch easierandkeepsyourblindscleanandlooking newforlonger.

Fireretardant

Compulsoryinanycommercialenvironment, fireretardantfabricsshouldn’tbeoverlooked inourhomescenarioseither.Protecting againstthe‘what-if’,allWeathermasterfabrics havebeendesignedspecificallytoinhibitthe spreadofflamesandsmokeintheeventofa fire.Independentlytestedinaccordancewith theAustralianstandard,Weathermasterfire

retardantfabricsprovideyouwithasolution thatissafeforyouandyourfamily.

Greenguard®&OekotexCertified OEKO-TEX®100CertifiedandGREENGUARD® AustraliaCertifiedfabricoptionsallowyou toresteasyknowingyou’veboughtan environmentallysafeproductthatiscertifiedto havelowchemicalemissionsandarefreefrom harmfulsubstances.

WeathermasterfromFrazerhurst,isatrusted Kiwicompanywithfriendlylocalexpertsright hereinWhangārei.Ourextensiverangeof blinds,awnings,shuttersandumbrellasare designedtoworkandmadetolast.

Whattoconsider whenlandscapingyournewhome

Doyouspendalotoftimeoutside entertaining?

Ifhostingfamilyandfriendsisabigpartofyour life,youroutdoorentertainmentareawillbe animportantaspectofyourhousetoconsider. Aseamlessindoor-outdoorflowhasgrownin popularityoverthepastfewyears,andcreates alargerspacetoentertainifyourdeck/patio alignswithyourkitchenorloungearea.

There’splentyofoutdoorfeaturesthatcan customiseyouroutdoorareaaswell,including built-inbarbecues,firepitsandsunkenoutdoor seating-alldependingonthespaceyouhave toworkwith.

It’stimetorelax

Whatfunctionalfeaturesdoyouneed?

Thepossibilitiesareendless,from havingspaceforarelaxingoasis, includingpet-friendlyfeaturesfor yourpooch,ormakingafunspace foryourkidstoplay. Hereareafewideastoconsiderwhen landscapingyourproperty.

Kickoffthelandscapingprocessbythinking aboutthepracticaloutdoorfeaturesbestsuited toyourfamily’sneeds.Ifyou’reagardener,how canyouuseyourspacetogrowvegetables? Thismightcomeintheformofasmallto medium-sizedvegetablegarden,ahanging herbgardenorfruittrees.

Ifyouhavelimitedspace,usepotsand containerstogrowbasicssuchasherbs, tomatoesandspringonions.Ifyouhavemore spacetoplaywith,considercreatingaraised vegetablegardensoyoucanplantawide rangeofseasonalvegetables.Youcaneven plantfruittreesthatsuityourarea’sspecific climateandsomegrowwellinpots,including limesandlemons.

Ifyouhaveafurryfriendathome,think aboutwhatyouneedforyourpoochtoenjoy lifeoutdoors.Ifyouhaveabiggerdog,consider thespaceneededfortheirdoghouseorifyou’d likeadecent-sizedlawnforthosegamesof fetchtogoabitfurther.

Youmayhaveanarea–orweenook-inside yourhomethatpromotesrelaxation,butif you’reanoutdoorsperson,youcanreplicate thisoutsidetosoakupthosesunnydaysor crispwintermornings.

Evenwithlimitedspaceyoucancreate ‘retreat’areas–forexample,youcouldinclude asmallbamboo-enclosedzengardenwith seating.Anookthatcatchesthemorningsunis agreatplacetosetupawoodengardentable andchairsasanoutdoorbreakfastarea.

Thesimpleadditionofawoodenbenchor hammockinaquietcornerofyouryardcan giveyoutheperfectspottoreadabook.Don’t worryaboutprivacy,that’seasilyachievedby usingatrellis,pergola,livingwallorcarefully placedtreesasascreen.

Ifyou’relookingforsomethingthatcanoffer relaxationandfunforthefamily,investinaspa pooland/orplungepool–thatisifspaceand budgetallow.

Forfamilies,keepitchild-friendly We’veallbecomeaccustomedtostayingat homeforlongperiodsduringtheCovid-19 pandemic–andsomeofusarebusykeeping childrenoccupied.Ifparentshavelearnt anythingfrombeingathome,it’shaving activitiestohelpthekidsrunoffallthat youthfulenergy.Ifyou’reabouttolandscape, whynotincorporatesomefunoutdoor featuresforthekidslikeajunglegym, trampolineorplayhouse.Ifbudgetisan issue,justensureyouhaveenoughspaceto becreativeandsetupahome-madeobstacle courseforthekids,orstartaprojectlike buildingasandbox.

Whateverstageoflifeyouareinduring yourbuild–accommodatingforthekids,or retiringtoyourownoasis–GenerationHomes offerseachbuilda‘startergarden’,whichgives youtheadditionaloptionofworkingwitha landscapedesignertochoosewhichplants youwouldlike.

Findmoredesignideasand inspirationforyournewbuildat www.generation.co.nz

Home Renovation Spend Rises asHomeownersInvest in Kitchen Projects

BYHOUZZ

Homerenovationspendhasgrown13 percentinthelastyeartoamedian $18,000,accordingtothe2021Houzz &Homesurveyofmorethan800New Zealandrespondents.

Higherbudgetprojects(withthetop10 percentofprojectspend)reached$150,000 in2020.Thestudyalsofoundthatthebusy renovationmarketwillcontinuethrough2021, with44percentofhomeownersplanningto renovatethisyear,uptwopercentagepoints since2018(42percent).

“Whilethepandemiccausedinitialconcern fortheresidentialrenovationindustry,many homeownersfinallyhadthetimeandfinancial meanstomoveforwardwithlong-awaited projectsinthepastyear,”saidHouzzANZ managingdirectorTonyBreen.“Thispent-up demand,alongwithlong-standingmarket fundamentalsempowerhomeownersto continueinvestingintheircurrenthomes.”

Withhomeownershome-bounddueto thepandemic,thesharewhoreportedthat theyhadwantedtopursueahomerenovation allalongandfinallyhadthetime,increased

byeightpercentagepointsin2020(41per centversus33percentin2018),andremains thetoprenovationtrigger.Nearlyone-third homeownerswantedtodoitallalongand finallyhadthefinancialmeans(30percent).

Oneinfivehomeownersclaimedtohave recentlypurchasedormovedintoanew homeandwantedtocustomiseittofittheir needs(19percent).Renovatingtoadaptto

MajorChangestotheKitchen

Investmentinkitchenprojects,the most popularamongrenovatinghomeowners, was$20,000in 2020.Over halfof homeownersmademajorchanges to their kitchens,such aschangingthelayoutofthe kitchen andupgrading plumbing,electrical or HVAC (59and54per cent,respectively). Nearlyonethirdofhomeownersreframed, movedoradded walls,andincreasedthe sizeofthekitchen during renovations (31 percent each).The topupgrades homeowners madein theirnewly renovated kitchensincludebenchtops, cabinets,taps andfixtures,sinks and splashbacks (80,76, 74, 72, 69per cent,respectively)

HouzzSurvey

OutdoorProjectsHeatUp

Whileinteriorroomrenovationsremainthemost commonprojects(75percent),outdoorprojects werepopularamonghalfofhomeowners(50per cent).Nearlyonethirdofhomeownerspursued theirprojectsduetoanoutdatedorundesirable designorstyle(31percent).

Otherchallengesaddressedbyhomeowners includeoutdoorspacesthatwerepoorlylaid outorlackedprivacy(31and20percent, respectively).Improvementstooutdoor spacesweredirectedtowardsthegrounds,top prioritiesincludedupdatingbedsorborders andplantersorplanterboxes(30and19per cent,respectively).Exteriorupgrades,suchas fencesanddecksfollowedinpopularityin2020 (22and18percent,respectively).Nearlyonein sevenrenovatinghomeownersupgradedtheir outdoorshedorworkshop(13percent).

HomeownersHire

MoreThanOneProforHelpNearlyninein tenhomeownershiredprofessionalhelpfor theirrenovationsin2020(87percent).Among professionalshired,electricians,plumbers, painters,carpentersandbuilderswerethemost common(51,40,39,34and30percent).