Westfield Newmarket rolls out the future

Recently I was issued with hobnail boots, a high vis jacket and a hard hat for a tour of the biggest project undertaken in New Zealand.  Sean Nash, Project Manager and Dorita Munro the Community Relations Manager, took me up to the top dome area via the scaffolding to inspect this massive  construction site.

Westfield, Newmarket is undergoing a total reconstruction. If you think a knee reconstruction is major, take a look at this project.

Escaping Auckland for 3 days

The Hokianga is one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets.  Colonial New Zealand, Maori Culture, scenery, ancient forests and surprises around every other corner, it isn’t always the destination but the journey. I have travelled this road numerous times and every time I discover new sights. It is a bonus to end up  in the Bay of Islands.

Recently I took an American photographer on a three day roadie north – she was not disappointed. This is a photographic  journey; enjoy.

Steam Punks, Steam Trains and Al Pacas!

ˈstiːmpʌŋk/

noun

a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.

a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction.

“the essence of steampunk is homage to vintage fashion with a modern, sassy twist” 

’tis the Season to shop…

 

I love wandering around the shops at this time of year..so many amazing unique gifts. Of course I can not buy them all and I don’t need any of them; perhaps that is why I like to window shop and share my discoveries of the unique, practical and bazaar!!

Blush in Gladstone Road Parnell is a very attractive florist shop  but they are different from most florists. The wreaths are from Blush in Parnell. They also sell a range of bespoke gifts such as this beautifully packaged tea and cute soaps, miniature orchids and bespoke books.  these beautifully packaged message soaps come in about 20 shades of pastel.!

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Locally made South Island Gin – The Source $120.00 a bottle makes a unique gift.

Rose Rabbit New Zealand Orange Liqueur –

The Cardrona

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky

‘the reid’ Single Malt Vodka –

Check out the website for ordering on line.

A couple of books to consider – 

An extraordinary diary from ‘The Vietnamese Anne Frank’, now in paperback I hear is a great read…its on my holiday list. 

Dang Thuy Tram

Last Night I Dreamed of Peace is the moving diary kept by a 27-year-old Vietnamese doctor who was killed by the Americans during the Vietnam War, while trying to defend her patients. Not only is it an important slice of history, from the opposite side of Dispatches and Apocalypse Now, but it shows the diarist – Dang Thuy Tram – as a vibrant human being, full of youthful idealism, a poetic longing for love, trying hard to be worthy of the Communist Party and doing her best to look after her patients under appalling conditions. She wrote straight from the heart and, because of this, her diary has been a huge bestseller in Vietnam – 350,000 copies sold in 2005 alone. Rider brings the first English translation, in book form, to the Commonwealth markets. But there is more: how the diary came to light is also an unusual story in its own right. Fred Whitehurst was a US intelligence officer on the scene just after Dang Thuy Tram was shot. He came across the diary and, instead of burning it there and then, took it home. His brother translated it and so began an odyssey that took 35 years, to find Thuy Tram’s family in Vietnam, and return the small brown book to them. Remarkably, in 2005, Fred Whitehurst tracked down the young doctor’s mother who graciously accepted it from this former GI who, as a result, was able to complete his own journey of reconciliation after years of bitterness as a Vietnam vet. $29.95rrp. Paper Plus etc. or as an E book from Amazon.

Below is my own personal bespoke coffee table book, this makes a beautiful gift. Buy from Blurb.com US$109.99 or more depending on Blurbs Pricing and currency. 🙂  Large Format Landscape, 13×11 in, 33×28 cm  98 Pages – Preview available on line –

ICE are photographs taken in Scoresby Sound East Greenland and Jökulsárlón  in Iceland.

My favourite Iceberg photo from the book.

 

These cotton robes and sun hats scream SUMMER from Isobel Harris in Newmarket.

Seletti are in Queenstown and Auckland… lots of fun and quirky gifts. These fabulous “sitting” monkey lamps are $790.00 or the neon Letter Lights.

 

Whitestone Cheese are an award-winning NZ company.  An original wooden gift box containing six award-winning varieties of our range. We courier New Zealand wide and will include your message in the box. $50.00 Check out their full selection.

 

Give a Kowhai tree this Christmas… it will help with your Carbon Footprint too.36 – 43cm high baby tree in wooden planter containing high quality potting mix.

• Purpose designed Trees Please! gift box made of sustainable untreated plantation pine (45cm high)
• Copper tag for recipient to mark the occasion and date the gift is received.
• Information on care, repotting and planting tree for best results.
• Complimentary Trees Please! message card

Mugler is the new perfume from ANGEL and the  bottle is a limited edition for Christmas. Stunning – I was naughty and bought myself this Christmas present!!

Fragrance notes: bergamot, praline, vanilla/patchouli/musk

                                  

So those are my best pics for this Christmas season.

Have special times with your family and friends…love one another and enjoy every day!!

 

Retail stores do get it right !

 

 I’m doing a Blogging 201 course  so I’m writing a weekly blog on anything in my head – 

I recently wrote in one of my blogs about retail stores… Negatively. Since then I’ve had a great local shopping experience, so I’m sharing. If only more shops took a leaf from the Blue Illusion concept!