Blood orange and gin fizz
Ingredients 2 blood oranges (or regular oranges), juiced 2 slices blood orange, to garnish 30ml Cointreau 30ml blood orange gin Prosecco to top up 2 sprigs thyme Ice Method Squeeze the juice from blood oranges into a jug. Add Cointreau and gin and mix. Fill two short glasses with ice and add a […]
Start your day well
Winter is closing in, making it an ideal time to start eating breakfast regularly. The benefits of breakfast are well documented, with studies showing the first meal of the day may help your heart, digestion, bones and more to meet dietary guidelines. Let’s not forget the many tasty options that make brekkie so […]
Gorgeous almond berry granola: Simple Wholefoods
Ingredients 2 cups brown rice flakes (or gluten-free rolled oats) 2 cups sliced almonds 1 cup whole almonds 1 cup shredded coconut ½ tsp ground cardamom ½ tsp ground allspice ½ tsp sea salt 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract 2 Tbsp coconut oil ¼ cup almond butter ¼ cup pure maple syrup ¾ […]
Great central location: Wyndham Garden Hotel
The international borders will be opening sooner than originally announced. This news from the Government in March brought smiles to the faces of accommodation providers throughout the country. Among them is Alisa Ravelje, manager of the newly constructed Wyndham Garden Hotel in Christchurch. “Now we will really be able to showcase our contemporary […]
A special occasion
Special occasions call for extra attention when preparing the drinks menu. From Champagne to cocktails, sauvignons to spritzers, gewürztraminer to gin, the choice of tipples is almost infinite. Group gatherings often start with bubbles to amp up the party feeling, and then progress to wine, beer, and cocktails. Large functions will often have […]
Rendezvous on 72: Route 72 Café Bar Emporium
Take a drive along Highway 72 to Cust and it will lead you to the unique, newly refurbished Route 72 Café Bar Emporium. Owners Steve and Annette Thomson have created an outlet for inspiring tastes and treasures both, with the café servicing one set of needs and the emporium and its fabulous selection […]
Classy catering
Whether it’s dinner for two, Sunday brunch with the family, or a larger gathering, catering can be stressful, unless properly planned. Limited access to many hospitality venues during the past few years has seen a rise in do-it-yourself functions as people have worked creatively to carry on with lives, celebrating birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, […]
Singing the blues
Blue is a much-loved colour, used throughout history by the ancient Chinese, the Egyptians, Greeks, Moors and many other cultures. As a colour it both contrasts and complements most other colours so it is a popular choice, especially for interior design. On the colour spectrum, it runs the gamut from pale icy blues […]
Picture perfect pets: Charlie & Coco
As our much loved pets are embraced into family life it is only natural that they should be included in special family occasions such as weddings. To dress for the event a visit to pet outfitters Charli & Coco is definitely called for. Our collar selection is extensive, from the most fashion-forward styles […]
Belkin’s budding earbuds
A self-confessed Belkin lover, Metropol’s gadget guru Ian Knott shoves the latest Soundform Rise Earbuds in his lugholes and discovers yet another quality, entry-level product from the brand. The headphone and earbud market is a saturated one, with the big names like Skullcandy, Beats, Sony, Bose and Apple dominating much of the market. […]
