NEXTApril 2018的目錄

I once set myself the challenge of only purchasing 12 new fashion items over an entire year. I did this because when I looked in my wardrobe I realised I’d spent an awful lot of money and didn’t have much to show for it. I’d fallen into the trap of believing I shouldn’t spend a lot on any one item, because that seemed extravagant, but I could always justify a fast-fashion bargain. The result was a wardrobe full of clothes of dubious quality and sorely lacking the ‘I love it’ factor. The idea of my 12-item limit was not necessarily to buy all designer clothes, but to make sure that everything I purchased was exactly what I wanted and needed. I was forced to take my time, check the fit,…

The following rant may have a massive impact on my family’s life. My pet peeve may result in my children being shunned from birthday parties, with hosting parents muttering apologies that they thought it best, given my beliefs don’t really fit in with their party plans. I apologise in advance, Harrison kids – your outspoken mother may have you ostracised. But it’s for the greater good. I promise! We need to ban goodie bags from kids’ birthday parties. Yes, those nasty little Bob the Builder/Dora/Peppa Pig plastic bags with the contents of a $2 Shop chucked inside. Today I tipped out the debris from a few goodie bags onto my kitchen bench. Two lollipops. A whistle (shudder). Three stickers. Dice. Four balloons. A slinky. Jellybeans wrapped in plastic. Five plastic…

It was the gilded Valentin Yudashkin gown at the 2016 Billboard Awards that made insiders sit up in anticipation of a comeback after personal tragedy. But it was the sweatshirt by Vetements, featuring Rose and Jack from the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, which heralded Céline Dion’s debut into the fashion world. It was a risky move, one that could have easily come off as contrived for the ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer, but for Céline it was the moment that marked her as one to watch. And ahead of her arrival here in August, we’re definitely taking notice. Historically, when it comes to fashion the Canadian pop icon and five-time Grammy winner has stayed under the radar, and when she’s made waves it’s often been for her avant-garde choices. Wearing…

Trinny Woodall is sitting on a grey-blue velvet sofa surrounded by the cornucopia of gleaming beauty products that has taken over her chic London home. She is talking – at the speed of Usain Bolt – about skin tones, highlighters, her ‘vampire’ face lifts, a wonder vitamin A cream from South Africa called Dermastine, which she got her former PA’s uncle to send her from Cape Town (“I asked for 10 tubes. It’s miraculous for crepey skin”). Her forensic knowledge of the 50 shades of red is extraordinary. As for eye bags, we are talking Mastermind specialist subject. But there’s a point to this tsunami of beauty tips. After years of co-hosting BBC’s What Not to Wear, the style show that regularly had four million viewers tuning in to see…

Running her hand through her hair, Trish Peng takes a seat, politely asking her assistant to shut the blinds on the scorching 31oC rays streaming through the windows of her hilltop showroom inside a Los Angeles mansion. In a white sleeveless top and flowing burgundy skirt, the 27-year-old Kiwi designer looks effortlessly chic, lounging on the couch where Hollywood actresses have enjoyed high tea and champagne while watching Trish sketch their dream wedding dress. Across the room stands a mannequin wearing the gorgeous red bridal gown which saw Trish break the record for the longest train on a catwalk during NZ Fashion Week 2016. “It’s so long it’s in storage now,” she says. “Photographers here sometimes want to use it for desert shoots.” On either side of the standout frock…

The tiny house movement is rapidly gaining momentum in New Zealand, and it has been a great option for newlyweds Kate and Willem van den Bergh. A conventional home in Auckland was out of their price range, so they thought outside the box, first exploring container homes, then turning their attention to the small and simple. Four months and $80,000 later, their 30m² house – with a footprint of just 18m² – was constructed, ready to be moved onto a plot of land the couple purchased on Waiheke Island. “It was affordable and a stepping stone to get out of renting,” says Kate, 34, who kept costs down by buying end-of-line materials, negotiating deals and doing all the finishing work. “A smaller space is easier to heat and cool, and it also means less consumption…

KELLY COE, AUGUSTINE Together with her husband Nathan, Kelly Coe started Augustine in the couple’s home garage in 2008. Since then, the pair has grown the business to become one of the largest clothing companies in New Zealand, employing more than 60 staff nationwide. Kelly and Nathan are continuing to grow their business with the imminent launch of two new labels and a new boutique during 2018. Kelly is also mother to three young girls. CECILIA ROBINSON, MY FOOD BAG As founder and creator of two of New Zealand’s most successful startups – My Food Bag and Au Pair Link –Cecilia is one of our most successful young female entrepreneurs. She has won more awards than you can shake a stick at, including Next Magazine Businesswoman of the Year 2014.…

OUT OF THE BLUE AND INTO THE BLACK They say midnight blue is the only colour that can compete with black. You might not think to pair the two shades, but create interest by combining midnight or royal blue with classic black for a striking look. PRETTY IN PINK Pink isn’t just a colour, it’s an attitude (we can probably thank the Women’s Marches for that...). So go ahead; own it. Any shade goes – from soft, dusky hues all the way through to bright statement pieces to make your look pop. Or pair your pink with leather or denim to give it some edge. CAUGHT RED-HANDED When in doubt, wear red. It oozes confidence and independence, so if you need a boost on ‘blah’ days, power red is your…

The good earth An emphasis on products that are as good for the planet as they are for your skin is growing with natural, organic and vegan brands gaining popularity. Ingredients that were once exclusive to the kitchen are now gracing our bathroom shelves, proving that what’s good for us on the inside is just as good for us on the outside. It’s not just the contents either; a focus on recyclable and earth-friendly packaging is making the decision to go green a full experience. * Tip Keep your eye cream in the fridge so that it’s extra-cooling Body luxe Keep skin supple and hydrated with these nourishing products powered by plants. Multi-task with oils for your face, body and hair (being careful to apply just to the tips). Face…

TEASE FREE Designed for use on wet hair, the Tangle Teezer Blow Styling Tool paddle brush allows hot air to blow evenly between bristles without snagging on hair. Use the Full Paddle, $41, on long hair and the Half Paddle, $40, on shorter cuts. Use with heatprotectant and styling products to keep hair healthy in the heat. GOLD STANDARD The iconic straightener brand has just released a new tool guaranteed to make hair sleek and smooth in just one stroke. The GHD Gold Styler, $320, is an everyday styler that will become a welcome addition in every bedroom. It has a dual zone – two heat sensors in the wand instead of one which ensures an even temperature of 185 degrees along the hair shaft from root to tip –…

Behind the leadlight front door of a period inner-city home, a world of colour awaits. Bold and beautiful, this is a home basking in light and space – a calm but playful haven for a young family. Yet when the homeowners bought the house early last year, it wasn’t exactly reflective of their love of high-impact style. It was more an ode to all things brown, says interior designer Lauren Li, who worked on the project. OUT OF THE DARKNESS “There wasn’t a room in the house that didn’t feature the colour,” Lauren says. “But the property still had great style and beautiful bones, and the previous owners had added a really lovely extension with a new kitchen, living area and upstairs kids’ zone. We knew there was a lot…

1 I love everything about this trolley.You can get some vintage glam without the wait. Antique brass drinks trolley, $999, Green with Envy. 2 These trays are so simple and a perfect way to display your treasures. Metal trays, $12, Kmart. 3 With its modern style, this set of shelves is such a breath of fresh air. Modernist bookshelf, $1299, Freedom Furniture. 4 This side table will go with any chair or sofa to create that interesting corner in your home. Hammered drum side table, $399, Freedom Furniture. 5 A versatile little gem, a simple bottle like this can hold fresh water for the middle of the table or look super-cool with cut flowers in it. Brown glass bottle, $1.50, Kmart. 6 If you’re not a duvet kind of person, these bedspreads…

Restless Souls Dan Sheehan Weidenfeld & Nicolson, $35 Tom, a failed war correspondent, returns from the Bosnian conflict in the 90s an emotional basket case. His friends Karl and Baz take it upon themselves to get him some help in the form of an experimental treatment facility for PTSD in Northern California. The book alternates between laugh-out-loud blokey humour and pathos – which can be a tricky feat to pull off. Sheehan has managed it deftly. Before I Let You Go Kelly Rimmer Hachette, $30 Sisters Lexie and Annie grew up in a fundamentalist cult. As adults, their lives have taken vastly different paths. Lexie is a successful doctor while Annie is a thief and a drug addict. One day Lexie gets a call from Annie, who is pregnant and…

1 PING PONG BALLS Nothing gets a cat burning up energy quite like a rousing game of ping pong ball soccer. Got wooden floors? You’re set! If your house is fully carpeted, try taking your cat into the bathroom instead and throwing a couple of ping pong balls into an empty bathtub. Your cat will most likely lose the ball at some point, but if not, make sure you hide it away so they don’t start round two at midnight! 2 PAPER BAGS Cats love a hiding hole, and even better when it makes a crackling noise and is fun to scratch. Next time you bring home a paper shopping bag, leave it on the floor for your curious kitty to enjoy. Place a toy inside for them to discover…

* 1.The smell of coffee in the morning. 2. Getting the last piece of cheese on the cheeseboard. 3. The look of delight on a friend’s face when you’ve nailed that birthday gift. 4. The crisp pages of a new magazine. 5. Snuggling up in bed while the wind and rain lash the windows. 6. The smell of freshly washed laundry. 7. Watching your child fist-pump with pride after scoring a goal. 8. Cutting open the perfect avocado. 9. Acing a parallel park. 10. Getting 50% off at your favourite store. 11. The surface of just-opened Vegemite. What? It’s so pristine! 12. Buying a new book/lippy (depending on your mood). 13. Baking the perfect scone. 14. The a-ha! of cracking a cryptic crossword clue. 15. Nabbing the last vacant car…

Fashion editor Sonia Greenslade brought her puppy Nina into work and we all fell in love. Model Anmari gets a final spritz before the floral-fashion shoot. Jewellery selected for this month’s glittering cover shoot. Cover star Renee Wright and our creative director Louise Thomson. OUR NEW AWARDS Do you run a small business? Then you need to know about our new Her Own Boss Awards. The winner will receive over $35,000 in prizes, plus there is a People’s Choice prize up for grabs. Turn to page 60 for details.…

Exuding the calm confidence of someone who enjoys success both professionally and personally, weather presenter Renee Wright appears the incarnation of the modern woman who has it all. Rarely seen with a hair out of place, the mum-of-three seems to effortlessly juggle raising a family with being one of the nation’s favourite television stars, delivering news of impending storm fronts with poise, beauty and engaging warmth. So it comes as something of a surprise when she sits down with NEXT and candidly launches into a story about a miniature cyclone that recently raged in her own home. “It was the morning hustle and it all just exploded,” says the 37-year-old. “I had the flu, the kids had vomiting bugs, there was diarrhoea up the wazoo, dirty nappies – and we…

Let’s play a word association game: I say midlife crisis and you probably think of a 40-something bloke who leaves his wife for his secretary, buys a Porsche and acquires a dodgy ponytail, earring, fake tan or all of the above. As cliched as it sounds, the midlife crisis is a reality, with research showing one in four adults aged between 40 and 59 experience it. But, and here’s the kicker, did you know slightly more women than men go through a midlife crisis? What’s more, research shows women tend to experience it earlier – between 35 and 44. Psychologist Robyn Vickers-Willis is surprised more women don’t recognise or understand that midlife crises cross gender boundaries. In her book Navigating Midlife: Women Becoming Themselves, the Australian psychologist says it’s common…

We sat down with Zoë Williams, the 39-year-old founder of jewellery brand Zoe & Morgan, to chat about what she’s learned in almost 13 years of business, the importance of family and adapting to an evolving economy. From drawing inspiration by walking the Camino de Santiago to working towards sustainable practice, the mum of two (Ace, 10; and Mia, eight), says it’s been a fun ride. Family first Our father was a jeweller. We’re a family business; I own it and design the collections with my brother Morgan and sister Ruth. My father was always nice and personal to his customers. He died when I was almost 20. Before he died, he gave me all his tools and said, “Do something important with them.” I took it seriously, travelled and…

Marina Charlton was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer six years ago, and the diagnosis saw the single mum embark on a rollercoaster ride to find a mother for her twin daughters to ‘replace’ her when she died. In 2015 Karyn Henger interviewed Marina about that journey for NEXT, and spoke to the friend Marina had chosen. On January 10 this year Marina passed away. A lot had changed since her 2015 interview, and Karyn had interviewed Marina for a follow-up story just weeks before Marina died. These are Marina’s final words. Marina passed away peacefully, a few weeks earlier than expected. Her daughters are safe in the care of a trusted legal guardian. May she rest in peace. My name is Marina and I’ve just spent my…

1 Grey is my go-to neutral; it’s so versatile and chic. Wear this with a simple white tee and skinny jeans or amp up the elegance with a pencil skirt. Add a bright scarf or blouse for a pop of colour. Rick Cardona blazer, $170, Ezibuy. 2 These look great with white sneakers and leather jacket for a casual vibe, or add in heels and a white shirt/soft knit for 9-5. Rick Cardona pants, $130, Ezibuy. 3 A tan belt is the little black dress of the accessory world. Wear it with white pants, to add contrast to a feminine dress, to cinch in a jacket... the world is your oyster. Caesura belt, $75, Liam. 4 I’m an earring junkie, and I love the chunky elegance of these little beauties.…

BRIGHT EYES Soothe tired eyes with new Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Cooling/ Lifting Eye GelCreme, $135. This lightweight formula has Resilience Lift’s signature Tri-Peptide Lift complex to hydrate, lift and firm the eye area. Apply with the Cryo Tool, $90, and massage in for at-home treatment to boost circulation and reduce puffiness. Store in the fridge for extra coolness. And while you could lie on the couch with cucumber over your eyes, you could instead use the new Daywear Eye Cooling Anti-Oxidant Moisture GelCreme, $80, to brighten and de-puff eyes. Rolling in the deep: Luxury skin brand Aeˉsop has released its first deodorants. The products contain high quality botanical ingredients to help reduce and mask body odour with no irritating ingredients. Currently available as a spray deodorant – with a woody…

1 This refreshes me in the afternoon when I need it most; one spritz will perk me up no matter how humid the day. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Miracle Hydrating Mist, $43. 2 This cleared my skin when I had a breakout; the formula removes impurities and unclogs pores without stripping skin and leaving it dry. Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Foaming Cleanser, $62. 3 At the moment, I’m giving my nails the bright pink treatment – I love how bright nail varnish offsets a (fake) tan. Essie Nail Lacquer in Gallery Gal, $23. 4 This mascara withstands even lunchtime Pilates classes; it won’t flake or smudge. But removal is easy with warm water and eye makeup remover. CliniqueFIT Workout 24-hour Mascara, $46. 5 I can’t get enough of bright lipsticks and I love…

1 Showcase your individuality: Getting to know each member of the family and their personal likes and dislikes was key to picking the right decor, says Lauren. 2 Choose a signature colour: In the ‘cactus’ bedroom, Lauren and the owners picked the wallpaper first, then chose the blinds in the the same green and white. 3 Forget matchy-matchy: Don’t pick the same pattern in a different colour; it looks contrived. And don’t mix too many patterns in one room.…

Back in the day, taking a multivitamin was the peak of the health and wellness scene. But these days, all manner of supplements are reigning supreme, with everything from adrenal health support, to vitamin D and prebiotics – all designed to help you top up vital vitamins and minerals that you may not be getting otherwise. So what’s behind the rise of dietary supplements – and should you be taking one? Currently the global supplement industry is worth some serious money, around NZD$111 billion. Fuelled by our burgeoning interest in health and wellness, it’s set to be worth almost $118 billion by 2022. A survey by British market research firm Mintel found that in the past year, 65% of adults took some form of vitamins or supplements either daily or…

If I Die Before I Wake Emily Koch Harvill Secker, $37 Alex wakes in a hospital bed unable to move, talk or see. He’s been in a mountain-climbing accident and everyone wrongly believes he’s in a vegetative state. Gradually, Alex realises his predicament is no accident: someone tried to kill him – and despite being trapped in his unresponsive body, he is determined to find out who did it. A strangely original mystery. The Yes Brain Child Dr Daniel J. Siegel and Dr Tina Payne Bryson Simon & Schuster, $38 Right hand on heart, left hand on belly. Take a deep breath until you feel ready to talk about how you feel. That’s just some of the useful advice in this booked aimed at helping children to become self-aware, emotionally…

Fifteen years ago I was a woman with a dream; I wanted to write a novel. I wasn’t sure how to go about it but I had a bright idea and I owned a computer, so how hard could it be? Fast-forward to the present day and my 10th book, A Year At Hotel Gondola, is being published. I feel slightly dizzied to have reached this point and along the way have learned a great deal. Most importantly: it can be really, really hard to write a novel but it’s never impossible. The bright idea is the easy part. Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert has this theory about ideas for creative projects. She thinks of them as kind of floating around in the ether and if one happens to…

KIDS NEED POSITIVE THINKING TOO We all need positive self-esteem and to understand how our thoughts work. Thoughts are real forces and it matters what we think. For children, this can be a revelation. The four techniques are affirmations, visualisation, acknowledging, and eliminating negatives. Forty years ago I was from the moon presenting these concepts, but the sooner we teach simple techniques and children understand how they think is going to have a huge effect on their life, the better. If you have the attitude, ‘I’m never going to make friends, nobody’s going to like me, I’m worthless’ – and some children feel this way – that is going to affect their confidence and choices because they’re going to be reluctant to interact with others. START FROM A YOUNG AGE…

Bread & butter pudding with ricotta & chocolate 400ml milk 350ml cream 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped 7 egg yolks 150g caster sugar 1½ small (650g each) sourdough fruit loaves, unsliced 150g ricotta 140g dark chocolate (65%-70% cocoa solids), chopped Finely grated zest 1 orange Dutch cocoa, for dusting 1 Bring milk, cream and vanilla bean and seeds to a simmer in a saucepan. Meanwhile, whisk yolks and sugar in a bowl until pale. Add hot milk mixture, stirring to combine well, then cool (15-20 minutes). 2 Cut ends off loaves and thickly slice bread. Cut each slice in half diagonally, then brush with custard to moisten. Arrange bread in a 2-litre baking dish, crust-sides up. Pour remaining custard over the top and stand, occasionally pressing down lightly…

Beautiful skin The new Environ Electro-Sonic DF Mobile Device puts skincare in your hands. Using iontophoresis and sonophoresis, this hand-held gadget will tackle frown lines, smile lines and fine wrinkles; upper lip lines; hyper-pigmented marks from sun damage; double chin and also minor scars. RRP $991, www.psb.net.nz. Perfect pick-me-up Living Nature Ultimate Day Oil is formulated to nourish and rejuvenate skin. Rosehip, evening primrose, lavender, tangerine peel and calendula oils combine to create an ultra-fine blend that complements your skincare routine. Vegan-friendly and NZ-made, it suits all skin types. From participating stockists and online. www.livingnature.com. RRP $42. Thank you mum Spoil mum this Mother’s Day with a gift from nature. Choose from three great value Weleda gift sets: New Mum Body Care Essentials, $39; Pomegranate Face Care Set, $69; or…

When two people think about moving in together, shacking up, parallel parking their toothbrushes, there are plenty of things to consider: Prenups (Ain’t saying you’re a gold digger, but you ain’t messing with no broke writer… oh, you are. Never mind then), the distribution of chores and household expenses, working out if there is a way to hang paintings so they don’t get an ice axe through them (on the ceiling, perhaps). No worries. A free and frank discussion beforehand will prevent disappointment when you consistently fail to place the recycling in the right bin and don’t think shaving your legs or having dinner on the table is as much of a priority as a good book. I’m no good at free and frank discussions. I prefer assumption and unspoken…

The websites I check every day are… Harper’s Bazaar and CNN. My day-to-day outfit consists of… a classic handbag, a pair of heels and a tailored dress probably from UK designer Karen Millen. If I were a billionaire… I would work with people who are helping those in need. The best birthday I ever had was… when I turned 40. Having my children, friends and family all under one roof was a night I wish never ended. My typical day… Every morning when I wake I take time to say thank you. I exercise between 6am and 7am – sometimes I run, do yoga or go to the gym. I mix it up. I then get ready to embrace the day by getting dressed, making my list of what needs to…

Advice for new mums: You can’t do it on your own; it’s a massive job. Be kind to yourself. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others but if your kids are happy and healthy and feeling love, then you’re doing really well. PlunketLine is amazing! Just know that it’s okay to accept help when it’s offered. Guilt: I feel guilty about everything all the time. But I think you need to keep perspective – you’ll burn out if you play the martyr all the time. It’s important to do things for yourself because you live with that guilt and you get used to living with it. Sick days: There are no sick days as a mum. Your kids don’t care if you’re feeling sick; they’ve got stuff to do.…

1 Determine how much you’ll need for retirement. Some studies suggest if you’re comfortable living on little more than the minimum wage you’d need $450,000 sitting in the bank and a mortgage-free home. 2 Work out where the inefficiencies are. If you fritter $10,000 a year – which is easy to do – and you’re 40, that’s $250,000 more you’ll need to save for retirement. 3 Work out when you’ll be mortgage free, and how you can get there faster. It’s a lot easier to save when you don’t have to pay $50,000 a year to the bank. 4 After eliminating inefficiencies and devising a way to be mortgage free, what are you left with? Look at the figures and consider what strategies will fix any shortfall.…

Could you live in a home without a laundry, garden or any parking? Would you be happy to have a property on water or above a train station? How about a dwelling with a total floor space smaller than your current lounge? These are just some of the options that could become the norm in a New Zealand where sustainable, affordable living is not just desirable, it’s essential. With the Kiwi quarter-acre dream now as far from reality as our clean, green image, the focus is now on creating a new vision for housing. And while doomsday theorists gloomily predict this will involve squeezing thousands of faceless apartment blocks into tiny pockets of land, the reality is far more multi-faceted. Yes, there will be intensification, but less in the form…

I had been married for 20 years when my husband – a man I thought of as my closest friend – announced he wanted a new life with someone else. I was 49, but essentially the story is the same at 29 and 39. For a while, the world looks as if it has ended, but the important thing to recognise is this is a phase and you will survive it. At the time, it felt as if I wouldn’t. The mechanics of separating made it worse: the division of books and chairs and the pottery bought on holiday in France is actual hell. In comparison with that, the final document’s arrival in the post was strangely anti-climactic. It’s the ungluing of your two-person history that really unravels you. It…

BIRDS OF A FEATHER Time to update your shoe selection for the cooler months, and Allbirds has you covered. The Kiwi brand’s popular wool running shoe now comes in a new limited-edition palette. The Tuke range is named after the South Island native bird; choose from either wool runners or wool loungers (pictured) in shades include dusky pink, midnight blue, chilli red, sage green or classic black and white. $160, allbirds.co.nz. HIDDEN DEPTHS The much anticipated Deadly Ponies autumn/winter collection has dropped – and it’s their most experimental yet. Depths of Desire is inspired by the imagined love affair between a deep-sea monster and a zeppelin and features bold designs from the Bauhaus movement – with rich 70s-inspired shades such as ink and marmalade, not to mention the polka dot-adorned…

SKINCARE As I have three children (12, nine and six), the mornings are always a mad rush, so on the school run I’m usually hiding behind sunglasses. Despite the chaos, every morning I’ll make sure I add a few drops of Lumity’s Facial Oil, then Estée Lauder’s DayWear Sheer Tint Release Moisturizer SPF15. This is a miracle product that I’ve been using for years. MAKEUP I don’t tend to wear a lot of makeup during the day, but if I’m going to an event I will add an extra layer of eyeshadow and mascara, or a brighter lipstick. For the evenings I like to go all out glam and will do a smoky eye or red lippy with lots of highlighting. The latest collection of Tom Ford clutch-sized shadows and…

* Tip Use a fan brush to apply highlighter on cheeks…

A soft spot The epitome of sophistication, velvet has long been seen sashaying down the runway. The elegant fabric is making its way beyond the wardrobe, so bring a little luxe into the living room with a twist on the classic sofa. Velvet makes an equally glamorous statement in accent pieces like cushions in lush forest green – ideal for curling up with a book and a cuppa as the days get chillier. Shine on If glimmer grabs your eye, look no further than metallic accents. You can incorporate metallic with subtle accessories, but if you’re brave enough, extend it to the furniture. OBJECTS OF DESIRE Featuring some of their most popular pieces, the new Elements range from Nood is here. In addition to the classics, their innovative and unique new products won’t…

Differently Normal is a love story about a young woman caring for her autistic sister and a young guy dealing with the fact he will always be a disappointment to his father. What inspired you to write it? I had the idea of Maddy first – a young woman whose life is in limbo because of family obligations. I almost always start a book with a character and conflict in mind and then the rest of the story develops from there. Once I researched young carers and realised just how much it can affect their lives I knew I had to write a story about it. You successfully self-published your first few novels. Tell me about that. I self-published six novels before Differently Normal was picked up by a traditional…

The flick of a tail, the blink of an eye, the twitch of a whisker and the flutter of an ear are all visual cues for decoding the inner workings of your frisky feline’s mind. Sure, they may appear aloof and uncaring most of the time but your fur pal is capable of expressing more than just a side-eye. In fact, your cat is communicating with you all the time. By learning to understand their body language, we can begin to peel back the layers on these complex creatures, who really do love you (and not just because you spoil them with DINE® Creamy Treats). THE BASIC BODY LANGUAGE OF CATS A cat who shows you their tummy may be doing so because they’re happy and relaxed, however this can…

CROWD PLEASERS Dunedin chocolate maker OCHO is in the middle of a large crowd-funded expansion to fill the chocolatey void left when Cadbury pulled the plug on their factory in the southern city. They’ve signed a lease on the Steamer Basin building for chocolate production, factory tours and a café, and plan to start production around the middle of the year. Global warming is a problem for the cacao plant DON’T PANIC You may have seen the alarmist stories in the media late last year predicting that the cacao plant would be on track for total extinction as early as 2050. Luckily, reports of chocolate’s demise were greatly exaggerated. A story, essentially about using gene editing to protect the cacao plant from disease, touched on research about global warming reducing…

TOP OF THE CROP Need fresh ideas for Meat Free Monday? The Modern Vegetarian has more than 120 recipes including mains (like Chestnut Pasta Rags with Sprouts & Wild Mushrooms, pictured), sides and desserts. So whether you’re a once-a-week vegetarian or a long-time convert, this book has all you need to make veg the star of the show. $35. Bread winner Easter just isn’t complete without a delicious toasted, buttered hot cross bun. Try Loaf’s traditional fruit buns or their chocolate version for a yummy light breakfast or afternoon tea snack. $7. LOTS TO LOVE This year marks three decades that Kea Cookies has been in the vegan industry. They’ve served the community well – their tasty range of cookies is gluten, wheat, dairy and egg free. So whether you…

It’s a sparkling spring day, but I’m feeling dispirited¸ and not just because InStyle has announced that capri pants are back. “I don’t have many rules.” I sip Ray’s matcha tea even though I don’t really like it; today I need all the positive power I can get. “But I have a few. One, I won’t start a relationship with a man who’s still married. Two, I will never, ever –” I reel back at the sight of a tourist in tight, semi-transparent white cotton capris – “wear those.” “Good for you!” chorus Ray 1 and Ray 2, both of whom have meticulous societal and sartorial standards. “Such a trouser,” frowns Ray 2, using the singular with deference to his native German, “should not be publicly worn.” “Trouser-S, plural,” corrects…

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Am I nice person? I’m not so sure. I can be pretty generous. I’ll pay for lunch and I like giving stuff away: socialist redistribution of sunglasses. If required, I can step up as a casserole-maker in a crisis. I’m happy to take your kids so you can have a break. Oh, and I’m more than happy to listen to any of the shittier aspects of your life with lots of understanding nodding. I don’t deserve any credit for this. There is no virtue in being kind to people who are having a hard time, who are vulnerable. That’s a doddle. But what about people who are ‘zip-a-dee-doo-dah’ and on top of the world? That’s not so easy. Can you be genuinely, uncomplicatedly thrilled when a friend has some spectacular…