Revisiting Rotorua
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan When the team at the Regent Rotorua invited us to spend the weekend, I didn’t have to be asked twice. I love hanging out in Rotorua, as there is so much to do. In fact, a weekend is not long enough, unless it is one of many planned. The Regent, conveniently located […]
Taste of Tours
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan What started as a fun trip with an old friend to Sicily has turned into a new business – Taste of Tours. It’s no secret that I love to travel. Combine it with great food and wine and a big dash of storytelling and it’s the perfect recipe for me and, it […]
Somethin’ Somethin’ Good Going On
“Pretty speechless” is how chef Nathan Turley described his reaction to receiving his second People’s Choice Award during this year’s Flavours of Plenty Festival. Along with wife Ash, Nathan owns the Mount café Somethin’ Somethin’ Cafe whose Plenty O’Fish dish earned the most votes in the Plates of Plenty Challenge. Just a few weeks earlier, […]
A Winter Wardrobe
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan Images Ashlee DeCaires Last year we moved house and embarked on a new renovation project. We had totally renovated our previous 1940s cottage, that when we began had no storage, not […]
Sustainable Shopping in the CBD
Whether you are looking to revamp the wardrobe or looking for an actual wardrobe, buying pre-loved is a sustainable choice. Vanessa Williams from the Hamilton Central Business Association says that “internationally conscious consumerism is a huge movement, and the CBD, with many independent stores, is a great place to see this grow”. Hamilton Central has […]
Happy Vendors, Satisfied Shoppers, Appreciative Causes
Words Liz French It is clear that stall holders, vendors and shoppers benefit from the Tauranga Farmer’s Market. But you may be surprised to learn that the market also supports deserving organisations and charities. Tauranga Farmer’s Market is a not-for-profit organisation. As Market Manager Megan McVeigh explains, “This means that any money after operational costs […]
Happily
Words Denise Irvine, images Brydie Thompson I’m looking at shelves stacked high with Happily products and my fingers are itching to dive into the boxes and make things: beaded bracelets, tie-dyed bags, bespoke candles, clay models and, yes, even cut-out paper dolls from my own childhood. To tell the story of Happily, though, we need […]
Rethinking Retirement
Retirement today looks somewhat different to what it may have done a generation or so ago. With average life expectancy over 80 for both men and women in New Zealand, greater savings are required to fund a longer timeframe in retirement. If well-prepared, retirement can present an opportunity to step into a fulfilling, purpose-driven lifestyle […]
Building the Dream
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan, Images Ashlee De Caires Having sold their farm in Raglan, Rob and Sandy Mitchell were in search of the perfect site for their new home. When they thought they had found it, they gave Pat Burke from Downey Designer Homes a call. The couple had already chosen Downey Homes as their builders. […]
Foodie Heaven in Paris
Words and images by Vicki Ravlich-Horan I have been lucky enough to visit Paris several times. The first time I ticked off the iconic sights that make this city the most visited in the world. I battled the crowds to be underwhelmed by the Mona Lisa, visited Notre Dane (luckily before the fire), climbed the […]