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Once a month we send out an e-newsletter, giving behind the scenes insight into the production of the magazine, sneak previews of upcoming issues as well as interactive features.FYI
Knights of the Sky
Peter Jackson has used his cinematic expertise to recreate scenes from World War 1, housed in the purpose-built Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre that opened last December. But this is no static display. Breathtakingly realistic figures act out scenarios with one of the world’s largest collections of original and replica aircraft. Staff from the workshops of Weta and Wingnut employed their film-making know-how to create special effects that earned the accolade “Best museum in the world” from the Sydney Morning Herald’s travel writer.
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, 79 Aerodrome Road, Blenheim, phone (03) 579 1305, www.omaka.org.nz
FYI - Issue 22
Dream on
Regular NZ Life & Leisure contributor Tessa Chrisp has used her camera to revisit childhood memories of the beloved Kiwi bach. The resulting photographs celebrate the endless sunshine of summer days and the undisturbed beauty of the New Zealand landscape and pay tribute to the cheerfully makeshift furnishings that are an intrinsic part of bach-holiday living. Tessa’s exhibition Kiwi Dreaming runs from 4 to 11 December at the Clayton Lane Art Gallery.
10B Clayton Lane, Newmarket, Auckland, phone (09) 520 4740
GETTING PERSONAL
Remember the look of astonishment on a child’s face at their first encounter with a personalized Christmas book? “How does Father Christmas know my brother’s name?” they ask, their eyes wide as saucers. Simply Colors has launched a range of 100 percent shrink-proof cotton essentials for babies and children up to age 10 which can be printed with a child’s name. A T-shirt costs from $14.50. Glitter options with “name Santa’s little helper” will be hot Chrismas-stocking fillers.
FYI - Issue 20
WHAT’S NEW AND TOO GOOD TO KEEP QUIET ABOUT
Thousand Words
Significant names, places and dates or just evocative words hand-printed on to Italian paper from antique letterpress printers’ blocks make very personal artworks. They’re the inspiration of Kiwis Melissa Laterveer and Gretchen Fraser who originally planned to turn the wooden blocks into a table but were persuaded by friends to make pictures instead. Colour customized, usually in two tones, and using 20 or so words, the pictures cost $670 unframed, $995 with frame.
g&m design, www.gandmdesign.co.nz
Southern Style
Dunedin’s historic city centre has the last word in lovely things for the home at Dernier Cri, a shop filled with custom-made furniture, fabrics, decorative accessories and works by local artists. Owner Sue Medary arranges her stock as if it were in a house and is available to help with decorating options.
Dernier Cri, 36 Lower Stuart Street, Dunedin, phone (03) 477 0570.
So Cheap, So Good
FYI - Issue 19
Authentic Asia
Deciding Auckland lacked modern and innovative Asian cuisine, the owners of new restaurant Jimmy Wongs devised a menu that focuses on authentic flavours in dishes from Japan, Malaysia and Thailand.
A décor of black bamboo, mirrored panels and lots of lanterns is suitably exotic and some serious credentials come by way of a head chef ex the Simon Gault group and a cocktail master ex Auckland institution Prego.
Jimmy Wongs, 5B Lorne Street, phone (09) 300 6381
Blooms for rooms
“I’ll have a traditional mixed posy of white flowers, lots of roses please and something scented.”
Not only will Auckland florist Blush provide exactly this (or whatever is required), their new Blush Home service will arrange the flowers and deliver to the door every week – including the vase if need be.
Weekly charges start at $45.
Organize from the website www.flowersbyblush.co.nz/blushhome
In frame
Breakfast (and diamonds) at Tiffany’s may still be out of reach in this country but at least we can now buy their eyewear. From the beginning of June, a range of Tiffany sunglasses will be available at selected Sunglass Hut stores and their optical frames at selected OPSM stores.
Food for Thought
Maybe it’s the meditation that precedes all food preparation or perhaps it’s the soft aquamarine walls and glowing pastel menu boards, but the atmosphere at Sweetness-Joy of the Unknown Beyond Juice Bar & Café is almost edible. This recent addition to the multitudes of Newmarket cafés, run by Sri Chinmoy-follower Sutibra, is fast becoming a favourite with NZ Life & Leisure staffers, specially those interested in vegetarian and vegan food. Sutibra and her colleagues prepare all food with love, aiming for a totally healthy environment.
Sweetness-Joy of the Unknown Beyond Juice Bar & Café, 22 Kingdon Street, Newmarket, phone (09) 524 0427
New Kids on the Block
Art+Object is the first new auction house to emerge in this country in more than 30 years. Its founders, all formerly of the long-established Webbs in Auckland, claim to offer a “new, more contemporary voice”. Since opening in April, individual auctions for contemporary art, antiques and New Zealand historical items have been held. Coming up in July are contemporary photographs and 20th century design and in August there will be music memorabilia, toys and Kiwiana.
Art+Object, 3 Abbey Street, Newton, phone (09) 354 4646
