Nadia

Wow, and just like that, the cool, crisp autumn mornings have arrived (making it much harder to get out of bed!). Lots of other changes around the world have been happening lately, of course. I hope you are looking after yourself mentally and physica

Winning top points for label design, this smooth mix of hazelnuts and cacao boasts just as much goodness on the inside of the jar. $15.99 poppyandolive.co.nz Imagine scorched almonds blended and poured into a jar, and you’re close to the taste-tastic

Blue mascara is back – in a deep, rich tone to enhance any eye colour. This natural formulation combines mineral pigments with nourishing beeswax to soothe and protect delicate lashes. $48 drhauschka.com If big, bold lashes are your thing then this c

A classic tan handbag is a wardrobe staple. Dressed up or down, this is a gift that will never date. $369 briarwood.co.nz Channel Moroccan vibes with these stunning 22k gold plate statement earrings. $375 zoeandmorgan.com The world’s comfiest footwea

After suffering unimaginable trauma at the age of 15, aspiring Olympic gymnast Lucia Osborne-Crowley sought solace in reading, and in the process began her journey to healing. $18.99 Allen & Unwin If there is ever a time to take advice from a monk it

The Wishbone Bike RE2 turns waste plastic into an award-winning, multifunctional design for kids aged 12 months to 6 years. Children learn confidence and independence on a three-in-one bike that fits perfectly as they grow. Learn to walk with three w

Bringing colour and culinary expertise to Warkworth, north of Auckland, is Pete & Mary’s Eatery. Siblings Suzanna and Tim Uhlworm opened the cafe in January with their spouses, Joel and Jessica. The eatery is named after Suzanna and Tim’s late grandp

Whether you’re social distancing or self-isolating due to Covid-19 concerns, or simply in nesting mode, you’ll probably be spending a lot more time at home right now. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t connect with nature. Whether it’s on yo

When was the last time you floated down a river, saw a shooting star or lay in the grass and watched the clouds? Modern lives, especially urban ones, are filled with lots of wonderful things. But unfortunately they’re often lacking meaningful contact

We’ve all enjoyed the sensation of warm sand between the toes or cool grass under our feet but the benefits of going barefoot can far outweigh simple feel-good vibes. Purposefully going barefoot is often referred to as ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding’. The

What inspired The Well-Gardened Mind? I can’t say there was one inspiration but I was certainly driven by a belief that forming a relationship with plants, soil and place through gardening can help counteract many of the mental health issues that ar

When I begin to teach people how to communicate with plants, most think they cannot do it. “Sure, I can see how a shaman can do it, or someone who grew up in the jungle, in an intact culture of natural medicine. But me? A modern person? I won’t be ab

There is a wonderful trend taking place to get rid of your immaculate lawn with its neatly trimmed edges and velvet green expanse. When you let a lawn go amazing things happen. Many parks around the world have stopped mowing their lawns to allow nat

Bananas are a wise choice for people looking to eat more ‘brain food’ as they are a potent source of magnesium and vitamin B6 – two micronutrients that are widely recognised for their ability to improve memory and focus. So bananas are making you sma

First of all, let’s clear up one thing: medicinal (or medical) cannabis is legal in New Zealand. That isn’t to say you’re free to smoke marijuana because you have a bad back. What it does mean is that the use of cannabis, manufactured to very specifi

While the term ‘cruelty free’ is one we’ve long been familiar with, the issue is still far from black and white. In New Zealand, testing on animals is still legal for consumer and medical research reasons, but back in 2015 the government signed a bil

The laundry is one of the hardest-working rooms in the home but it can also harbour many harmful chemicals. Studies have shown that cleaning products can contain ingredients that harm the lungs, cause asthma and are formulated or contaminated with ca

If you’re looking to give your bedroom a small-scale style update, adding upcycled bedside tables is a great place to start. Browse secondhand shops or online for a small character table that speaks your language, then simply slice, sand, seal and pa

Cosier weather calls for comfort cooking so satisfy your cravings with our line-up of one-pan dishes, page 62, that not only taste delicious but only require one pot, pan or skillet. Pies are back on the menu! In all fairness, do they ever go out of

Whether you’re a die-hard traditionalist or a modernist who will experiment with a chocolate version, nothing says ‘Easter holidays’ quite like a freshly toasted hot cross bun slathered in butter. Ready in 50 minutes plus 2½ hours’ proving | Makes 9

Kapiti Kikorangi is a triple cream blue with a smooth, golden curd and rich, buttery texture marbled with dense blue veining. Made using traditional cheesemaking techniques in Eltham, Taranaki, it is truly handcrafted. This highly acclaimed and popul

You’ll find all your favourite pies here – sausage and herb, curried veges, brown sugar and cherries – alongside recipes with a modern twist, such as rhubarb and strawberries in gluten-free pastry, and peach melba pie with a cream-cheese crust. Read

Photographer Alice, 37, and her husband first became interested in naturism – the practice of being nude in natural and social settings – in their homeland of South Africa. At the time, the former law student was working as a nude model and photograp

Each successful advocates of growing and cooking nutrient-dense food in their own right, Kay Baxter and daughter Amber Rose are now working together to further their ‘real food’ message. Kay, 67, an organic gardening pioneer and co-founder, with her

Sitting down to a yummy family meal doesn’t mean having to spend hours slaving over the kitchen sink afterwards. Using only one pot, pan or dish, these recipes are simple to make – and the clean-up afterwards is just as easy. Perfect for busy midweek

Make the most of the changing seasons and indulge in our star line-up of delicious pear dishes. Along with being ripe for the picking, this versatile fruit is an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fibre, both of which are essential for a healt

With multiple travel restrictions in place around the world, many of us have put holidays on hold. Luckily for the armchair traveller, the new book Hidden Places (Inspired Traveller’s Guide) by Sarah Baxter, illustrated by Amy Grimes (Quarto Group, d

You’d be hard-pressed to find a location as delectable and decadent as Taveuni Palms – just ask one of the seven personal staff appointed to your villa to provide you with unsurpassed service, exquisite food and wine and, of course, privacy. With its

In a small forest on the outskirts of Tokyo, a woman with sleek black glasses is examining the ground. Eventually, she finds the perfect spot to spend the next few hours staring at a canopy thick with bamboo trees, their colours plucked from the brig

When Italy is mentioned, certain clichés spring to mind: steaming bowls of fresh pasta sprinkled with parmesan, towering, ornate basilicas, cobblestoned alleys, checkered tablecloths, people talking more with their hands than their mouths. While many

This Mother’s Day, don your best apron and whip up a batch of bikkies to share with the mother figure in your life. Choose a citrus shortbread or transform a simple yet delicious vanilla biscuit into a pretty raspberry jam drop. For mums out there wi

With many delicious varieties to choose from, pears bring a subtle, sweet flavour, juiciness and unique texture to the table. Read on for all the pear recipes you’ll need this autumn, with the humble fruit adding a burst of flavour to goat’s cheese c

Never was the motto ‘be prepared’ more appropriate than when it comes to feeding the whānau wholesome, delicious food. These mains and sides are easy to rustle up and include a good portion of veges, protein-rich foods, some smart carbs and essential

More than just a morning essential to kick-start your day, coffee is a great flavour enhancer for both sweet and savoury recipes. Try it in a light-textured, moist pecan cake, rolled into truffles or used as a sauce for sticky ribs. Ready in 1 hour |

With a background in environmental science, it was second nature to Mahuru Wilcox to look to the land when creating Hau Botanicals, her range of natural skincare. Learning about the practice of rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing) and discovering

Be My Guest manages a boutique portfolio of luxury holiday houses in Waiheke’s most sensational locations. Create fabulous memories on your next holiday. Central Otago is considered one of the best grape-growing regions in the world and in its hear

Esther McDonald (Ngā Puhi), of Thea Ceramics, creates naturally beautiful mugs, tumblers, dishes, vases and more, which are being snapped up by savvy pottery fans. Cafes and restaurants around the country, such as Wellington’s Flight Coffee Hangar an

Brigit Blair, the founder of natural skincare company Linden Leaves, is celebrating a quarter of a century in the beauty business, with her family right beside her. You started your beauty brand in 1995. What are the biggest changes you have seen in

Taking it nice and slow is the best way to start a long weekend – just ask brunch queen Fran Mazza, co-creator of popular Auckland cafes Winona Forever, Sugar and Rude Boy. We share some of her best breakfast recipes (and a twist on a traditional Eas