Happy June and welcome to our Capsule Collection – what’s new and what’s on in NZ! Here’s our eclectic collection of new things we love this month – from events and restaurant openings, to the best of new products in fashion, beauty, food and lifestyle – you’re welcome!
DO
Winter Lights Cathedral
Auckland’s Aotea Square, May 30 – July 5, free!
If you’re looking for something magical to do – that’s free! – you have to check out the Winter Lights Cathedral. It’s a dazzling, walk-through experience made from tens of thousands of tiny LED lights. Inspired by the sweeping arches of grand church windows, this luminous tunnel invites you in for a moment of warmth, wonder and a little bit of WOW. Visit on a Friday or Saturday night, between 6pm and 9pm, and you’ll find neon-lit dancers bringing an extra touch of magic to the Cathedral.
Auckland Live Cabaret Festival
Auckland’s Civic Theatre, 24 June-5 July, prices vary with some events free!
This year’s cabaret festival has it all – a champagne lounge and a secret piano bar, circus acts, saucy shows, tarot cards and more. The festival transforms Auckland’s most iconic venue into a playground filled with music, comedy, theatre, circus, burlesque and some acts that simply can’t be defined. You will find free pop-up performances and experiences, delicious cocktails and food, fabulous outfits, artists and audiences mingling together, revelling in the extraordinary; it is a place where anything and everything is possible.
Disney On Ice presents Magic In The Stars
Auckland’s Spark Arena, August 6-9, tickets start at $35.74
One of my [Alice] favourite new annual traditions is taking the kids along to see the spectacle that is Disney On Ice. It’s like being transported to Disneyland for a couple of hours (without the price tag), mixed in with the wonder of a broadway show. Yes, yes, this show is aimed at the little ones, but like all things Disney, this is one the whole family can truly enjoy. There’s fireworks, acrobatics (that can rival Cirque du Soleil, singing, dancing and a bit of that Disney magic – all on ice. I definitely think it’s worth the ticket price – but, my advice would be to pick your kids up some glow sticks and Disney merchandise from The Warehouse before you go. The prices on the merchandise at the stadium are truly eye watering! The shows aren’t until August, but tickets are on sale now.
La Di Darts Opening
Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
A fun new idea for an interactive date night, Auckland’s iconic Holey Moley on Auckland’s Viaduct has got a glow up, alongside the launch of La Di Darts in the same venue. Dubbed a ‘darts bar’, competition (well, depending on you and who you’re dating!) and entertainment go hand-in-hand with AR technology, traditional boards and a whole lot of fun.
BUY
Lovevery ‘There’s Something Wrong With George’ Book
$15
A couple of weeks back our [Alice’s] much-loved kitty, Pompom passed away – like any pet’s passing tends to, she left a big hole in our family. What I hadn’t quite considered was what it would be like navigating a four-year-old through the experience! Death is an insane thing to try to get a small child’s head around. We’re very lucky that this is his first taste of grief, but it did come with A LOT of questions. Many of which I wasn’t prepared for. Thankfully, I remembered I had a book from Lovevery: What’s Wrong With George hiding away in my little stash of emergency kid things. This book was honestly a godsend and I can’t recommend it enough if you have a small person and a pet death.
I hadn’t read it before I launched into reading it with my son and at first, I was a little ‘oh heck, is this a bit much’, because it tells the story of a little girl who has a pet goldfish that gets sick and dies. It’s accompanied by great colour photos of it all. It shows her trying different things to help George and then the news is given to her that George’s body has stopped working, he is dead (there’s also pics of this!). But it was exactly what my son needed to understand it all a bit better. There’s no airy-fairy talk about spirits and the beyond or whatever, it’s the facts given in a caring, loving way. Honestly, this book was my MVP of last month – highly recommend!
Cooki
Shampoo Bars from $19.99
It was about 10 years ago that I [Alice] last tried a shampoo bar – I was heading on holiday and was sold on the fact that a solid shampoo wouldn’t explode through my check-in luggage (I was still traumatised by the last time it happened to me). That aspect of the bar was fab but otherwise, meh, I was not a fan. BUT, earlier this year I got my hands on a bunch of Cooki solid shampoo and conditioner bars and heck, for this brand, I am a total convert. These babies get up a delicious lather and do what they say on the packaging – they even come with a 60 day happiness guarantee. I’ll definitely be doing a restock – especially because the kids have gotten into them too. They’ve been a particular hit with the 11-year-old, who now happily washes his hair every day and is so much easier to actually get in the shower (His actual review was “I think I’m only going to use these now. They just have a superior bubble”)
Lorna Jane All Day Active Midrise Pants
$160
Byrè High Vibe Matcha and After Dark Cocoa
From $31
For the past six years Qualified Nutritionist, Health Coach and busy mum Renee has been experimenting with elixirs at home, infusing them with various medicinal herbs and mushrooms to help her fight sleep deprivation, manage the symptoms of PCOS and bring her body back into balance postpartum. What she discovered along the way was the importance of rituals – the intention and mindfulness of daily practices. This journey has brought her to the creation of Byrè – elixirs to enjoy at home, taking a few moments out to prepare and drink these tasty and nourishing treats. There’s an After Dark Cocoa – a delicious, chocolatey guilt-free bedtime drink that’ll help you have a restorative sleep. And, my favourite – the High Vibe Matcha. This has a delicious, non-gritty taste and has become my go-to during the afternoon slump.
Murad Lipid-Enriched Double Cleansing Balm
$89
When it comes to removing makeup, balm-to-oil cleansers can’t be beaten – but why just remove makeup when you can also add a little layer of skincare? I [Kelly] have been obsessed with this Murad cleansing balm since it arrived in my hot little hands. It removes everything – I mean everything – and leaves my skin feeling super-soft and nourished. It’s mess-free with the grinder packaging (perfect for travel) and removes more than 99% of SPF and long-wear makeup, cleans deep and replenishes your barrier, with no second cleanse needed.
TwelveSouth Butterfly SE 2in1 Charger
$99
Does anyone else get irrationally overwhelmed with how many chargers and cords are in your life these days? This two in one charger is designed for travel, but I [Kelly] have been using it as my office charger for a few months and I love being able to charge two things at once with one cord, as USB-C space is valuable on my desk! It also folds up super-small for the perfect travel companion.
Norsewear Paeroa Merino Jumper
$289.95
I [Kelly] have been trying to shop ‘better’ lately – sure, that’s a subjective term, but for me that means less spur-of-the-moment purchases, and buying less, but quality. When I tell you I *squealed* when this arrived in my letterbox, I’m not lying – made by Kiwi company Norsewear, The Paeroa Quarter Zip brings together their whole ethos – their heritage in NZ wool, commitment to local manufacturing, and a long history of making gear built to last. It’s cosy, comfy and a gorgeous, tailored fit and a fab addition to any busy gal’s wardrobe.
Floris London Sirena EDP 100ml
$379.99
If you’re a fragrance connoisseur you’ll appreciate how much work, tradition and heritage goes into a high-quality perfume – and now Kiwis get to experience one of the scent world’s most iconic brands. Founded in 1730, Floris London is the world’s oldest independent, family-run perfumer, with a legacy spanning nearly 300 years. Its fragrances have been worn by some of history’s most notable figures – from Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe to Florence Nightingale and even Queen Elizabeth II.
Now, New Zealanders will be able to experience that legacy firsthand, with its collection of sixteen fragrances launching exclusively at Life Pharmacy. This one is my [Kelly’s] favourite – an invigoratingly fresh and floral scent, this fragrance opens with a tropical blend of jasmine, marine and bergamot punctuated with pink peppercorn, combined with a floral heart of oleander, peony and rose.
By Tonin La Clara Pearl and Topaz Station Necklace
$249
There’s something so gorgeous romantic about pearls and white topaz together, and this beautifully-designed necklace has shot straight to the top of my [Kelly’s] wish list. BY TONIN is an Auckland demi-fine jewellery brand founded by Carlo and Mia Tonin, and every collection is built to be worn daily and last decades: 18k gold vermeil, priority on recycled metals, hand-selected natural gemstones, small-batch production by Responsible Jewellery Council-certified makers.
Nescafe x Krispy Kreme Lattes
$8
I [Kelly] can never – never – go past a cinnamon sugar doughnut, so when I saw these I absolutely frothed. I’m not normally a coffee sachet kind of person, but these doughnut latte ones from Nescafe and Krispy Kreme are delicious. I use them for the 3pm pick up and they are fab!
Note: We handpick everything we recommend. We may receive revenue when you shop through our links
