The Week On Thread: Episode 14 with highlights in photos of some the things I’ve been up to and enjoying this week at fashion events, beauty launches, and more. To follow highlights on social media, see our Instagram account at @threadNZ and Facebook page at Thread.co.nz and Twitter at @threadnz.
Project Plantae
You may have seen these lavender-scented hearts on beauty bloggers’ Instagrams this week with Plantae lavender cleanser deliveries from Bare PR; I can now brag they were all handmade by ME ha ha! It was such a fun craft project and I hope all the beauty editors enjoy them! Below: Gentle and botanical – New Zealand skincare brand Plantae’s latest: a Pacific Blue Lavender Cream Cleanser for dry to damaged skin. I’m actually currently using the Plantae Bergamot milky cleanser, so I am looking forward to using the lavender, next. I love the idea of lavender at night time too to calm down the senses before bed.
Left Field Wines
Silo 6 was a cool venue once again this week, for Sweet Mix Kids, tattoo-body painted models and the new contemporary wine Left Field Wine of Te Awa and Villa Maria heritage. I arrived to hear the beats coming from within the tall concrete towers and inside, crowds of people milling around with glasses – with some wearing Left Field-inspired body art tattoos. Each silo tower had a different set up and it was fun to mingle through and see the art and people. The creative Left Field team includes Ali Campbell and designer Aaron Pollock, who created the cool label illustrations, along with the winemaking team Richard Painter and Ant MacKenzie. I think it will appeal to a young-at-heart edgier market of the Te Awa drinkers and it is priced from $18 a bottle from March 2015.
UGG Australia
There was a pretty winter garden setting for the new season launch with warm winter boots of every style and description at the UGG Australia launch in Jean Batten Place in Auckland City. Actually, it’s not only boots you can fall in love with instore, but cool nautical flat shoes, and the cutest baby shoes as well. Below: Creative presentation of food at a fashion event award- Canapés by Collective arranged on top of baby boots in a case at the UGG Australia launch tonight. So yum and so cute!
Willa & Mae
I headed into one of my favourite Auckland hotels for fashion events – Sofitel Auckland – on Wednesday morning, for the media showing of luxury silk and lace sleepwear. I particularly liked the soft, coffee-coloured lace trim silk slips and the silk drawstring pants, which you could absolutely wear as outerwear with a top and heels as well as loungewear for home or bed. It is all designed in New Zealand, made offshore, and sold mostly online at present at their website willaandmae.com
Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime
Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime styling range launched to media at Mantells of Mt Eden for a presentation of key trends, a live showcase of models by Terri-Ann, and then a divine fish and vegetable lunch in the adjoining room. Mantels gets me every time with its European elegance and so this was such a stunning launch event.
What I wore today (before I got wet in the rain) at Mantells for Schwarzkopf. Photo by Go-Eun.
Below: The setting of the Schwarzkopf lunch at Mantells Mt Eden for the new Styliste Ultime styling range.
O’Connell St Long Lunch
Central Auckland was transformed into a tableau more fitting of Europe on Thursday, for the Volvo Long Lunch I attended thanks to Hudson Shop of O’Connell Street. I really liked that the chef spoke on the food and the wine match for each of five courses, and you could see the meat being cooked on an outside grill before our eyes on the footpath. Models walked around the seated guests, enjoying a five-course meal, made by the different restaurants around the street including Hotel de Brett. Fashion featured local retailers, including menswear by Barkers and womenswear by Hudson Shop located at 3a O’Connell Street, city, phone 09 307 0670 www.shophudson.co.nz
Don Quixote NZ Ballet
I absolutely adore live performance especially dance and on Thursday night I had the privilege of attending the Auckland opening night of New Zealand Ballet’s latest performance, Don Quixote, at Aotea Centre. A highlight was the beautiful Spanish-inspired costuming, along with dancers’ hair in curls cascading from red flowers in the hair, holding red fans like flamenco dancers. The show-stealer was the life-like little white dog at the cafe – as well as the two leads who were incredible to watch. The icing on the cake were handsome sailors, and some very dashing waiters. It’s a folksy and charming, unassuming dance that is light and happy to watch, and terrifically entertaining and there were plenty of ballet children in the audience who were enjoying the show, too. Book tickets here and it’s very reasonable from $35 or so for adults and school groups from $15 each!
Postie dance
Speaking of ballet, here’s a tip if you’re buying clothes for wee dancers; I got this gorgeous skirted leotard at Postie and it was only $17, and her dance teacher loved it and is recommending all the dance class kids get them. Their dance stuff is nice quality and very affordable.
The Aromatherapy Co Breakfast
Sarah Townsend hosted 80 women (and one guy, at our table!) amongst thousands of fresh flowers at Odette’s Eatery for a sumptuous breakfast on Thursday to launch the beautifully floral-packaged new Mother’s Day range around the concept of flourishing, and positive mental health. The Aromatherapy Company is donating to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
Below: Tomatoes in three colours and soft cheese brunch at Odette’s Eatery listening to NZ Mental Health Foundation and practising mindfulness at the annual The Aromatherapy Co breakfast. The new Mother’s Day range is pictured in the white frame; how beautiful is the packaging?!
Below: 80 Auckland women, media, and TV and radio personalities, at today’s The Aromatherapy Co brunch launching the Mothers Day range which benefits Mental Health Foundation New Zealand.
Karen Murrell
Such a treat to catch up with the gorgeous lipstick queen Karen Murrell, one of my favourite people in beauty, at The Aromatherapy Co breakfast today.
Kmart Denim
Kmart asked me to go instore with a voucher to check out their denim range of jeans for the family. I loved these gathered-cuff denim jeans for kids and got this flannel check shirt for a cool neo grunge look! We actually went and fed the horses at Chelsea Pony Club and it was a fun Sunday afternoon. I’ll be back soon to Kmart to check out the rest of the denim range now I know what they have on offer.
Sneaker twins
This week may have seen Nike Air Max Day (which I didn’t do as I don’t own any) but today was my unofficial mother daughter sneaker day: Keds x Taylor Swift from Hannahs and Twinkle Toes Skechers from Platypus Shoes.
Auckland Council baches
Did you know that Auckland Council rents out holiday homes? I rented this absolute beachfront holiday house at Scandrett’s Bay near Matakana for a night and it was great; completely retro inside, and right on the shore’s edge. Stunning. Here’s the link to book them (about $97 offpeak and $146 peak season)
Megan Robinson
28th March 2015
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