Lift your mood
Feeling down? Many simple activities and techniques can help to lift your mood naturally. Eating chocolate is one. Both raw and dark chocolate contain phytochemicals that play a role in lifting mood. These include theobromine, anandamide, caffeine, and phenylethylamine, which are known to stimulate brain function and pleasure centres in the brain, positively affecting your […]
Posh Picnics
Shake the dust off your picnic basket and get it prepped for summer. One blueprint to creating a fairy tale picnic, that will taste fantastic and look great in photos too, is colour, colour, and more colour. Just as dopamine dressing can benefit your mood, dopamine eating may uplift your day, especially with a rainbow […]
Setting the scene
Inviting friends and family for lunch is a popular way to catch up, especially during the holiday season when there’s more time to prepare, and to socialise. Whether you’re having two or 20 guests, setting the table doesn’t have to be a time consuming task. Planning is one of the pillars to hosting an enjoyable, […]
Summer Ceviche
Ceviche is a South American dish of fish cured in citrus juices and a staple of the Peruvian cuisine. It makes a tasty summer dish, easy to prepare, fresh, vibrant and bursting with flavour. This version is inspired by Nikkei restaurant Head Chef Alvaro Barros’ passion for fishing. During the summer months you can often […]
Pet for a present
So many hope that on Christmas morning one of their presents under the tree might let out a bark or meow. Pets are a wonderful addition to a household, and every year many animals are gifted as a special Christmas present. Although giving a pet as a gift may seem like a straight-to-the-heart gesture, it […]
Top South Island dog-friendly campsites
Marlborough: Nikau Cove Campsite Located in the breath-taking Marlborough Sounds in a sheltered bay not far from the Bay of Many Coves, Nikau Cove offers six non-powered sites. You will need a permit to bring your dog here which is readily obtainable via the DOC office. West coast: Franz-Josef Top 10 Holiday Park This campsite […]
Gorgeous gardens
Gardening is the work of a lifetime: you never finish. So said Oscar de la Renta, and he was so right. Gardening is a hobby for some, a passion for others, and it can even be a chore. The health benefits are well recorded, with studies having shown it is good physical activity for all […]
Architecture award winners
During November, several Canterbury Architectural projects were winners in the annual Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects awards. Commercial Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa by Sheppard & Rout Architects. Duncans 135 High by A E Architects. 455 Papanui Road by MAP. Education Te Raekura Redcliffs School by Tennent Brown Architects. Hospitality Doubles by […]
Getting organised
The minimalist life doesn’t work for everyone. If you are a collector of many things, it can be easy to let your house slip slightly out of order. Want to be true to the (messy) you? Here are some tips to keep your household chaos under control. Find a system that works for you Design […]
Happy at home
Your home is a haven – a safe place to relax, recharge and rest. The way we decorate our homes can affect our mood. There are many ways you can decorate that promote happiness, including with colours, textures and even room layouts. Decorate with uplifting artwork, such as scenic beauty landscapes, or anything that makes […]
