House porn

Here's the first of two stories I have in the June issue of NZ House & Garden, the cover story, about a Seatoun reno (click here to read).

Maranui Cafe

A few months ago I wrote about the iconic Welly seaside cafe, The Maranui, and how to replicate its interior style for a new online Stuff series entitled High Street to Home.

That series kicked off today with my story about the Maranui Cafe (click here to read).

  

(Pic Credit: Fairfax)

Kamusta (Hello) to the Philippines!

Have been so frantic meeting deadlines I've neglected to mention that next Thursday I head to the Philippines on a week's press trip, thanks to the Innovative Travel Company, Philippine Airlines and the Philippines Department of Tourism.

Am particularly looking forward to the 30+ degree heat, and the delicious cuisine. Doing the happy dance.

      (Pic credit: Pinterest)
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Gone fishing

My story on the Sydney Seafood School cooking class is published in this week's NZWW (click here to read).

  

Yours, mine and ours - or is it?

My story on joint bank accounts was published in yesterday's NZ Herald Canvas Magazine (click here to read).

 (Pic credit: Getty Images/NZ Herald)

Not the retiring type

My story about people 70+ who are still working was published in the latest NZ Herald's Canvas Magazine (click here to read). My first ever cover story for Canvas, too...

Three by Ekman

Thanks to the God of Media Tickets for tix to the Royal NZ Ballet's opening night of Three by Ekman, three pieces by Swedish dancer and choreographer Alexander Ekman.

I do love me a good night at the ballet.

(Pic credit: Ross Brown Photography)

Sky High

My story about our visit to New York's High Line was published in last week's NZWW (click here to read).

(Pic credit: NYC Parks)

Bye!!

Of to Oz for a few days and will miss this wee puppa very much. But I know he's in good hands.

See you on the other side...

Niagara Falls

My story about our visit to the amazing Niagara Falls, as part of the Adventure World media trip, is published in today's Press/Stuff (click here to read).

Photos, of course, by the talented Animator.

How Sex and the City celebrated feminism

My story about this is featured in today's NZ Herald on Sunday (click here to read).

I won something!

It's a truth universally acknowledged that the Animator is the lucky one in our household. He often wins raffles, competitions and Lotto, including a couple of decent wins over the years. Go anywhere with him where there's a chance of winning something, and he's the one who will take it out. Luck of the Irish, maybe?

I, on the hand, must have annoyed Lady Luck in a previous (or this) life. In my vast number of years on this planet, all I can recall winning is, in no particular order, a hideous knitted toilet roll doll holder thingy (I was about five so...), a subscription to a magazine and a meat pack (of no great use to a non meat muncher).

So no-one was more surprised than I when, at a Victoria University alumni book reading event with five of NZ's leading authors and poets last night, my name was drawn as the winner of the authors' latest books. Admittedly, I'm probably the least deserving of the prize, given that I already get lots of lovely free books each month thanks to my North & South Magazine reviewing gig. But I don't review any NZ books, so last night's unprecedented win was especially sweet.

I also had some other good news yesterday (can't say until its finalised), but a good day all round.