Guys we’re ALMOST out of winter – so, with anticipations of warmer times ahead, welcome to our Capsule Collection! 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!
BUY
Tronque Natural Deodorant
$50
Introducing a natural, refillable, skin-loving deodorant by legendary non-toxic body brand, Tronque! The new Natural Deodorant includes natural ingredients, including a ‘deo-tox’ mimicking muscle relaxant to control sweat gland activity, and unlike other deodorants, Tronque’s includes skin-loving ingredients like pomegranate and coconut oil, with their natural signature fragrance. Plus, there’s a stainless steel roller ball to offer lymphatic drainage. I (Kelly) tested this during a netball game (trust me, it’s the best test I can do) and it passed with flying colours.
Slowlife Flask
$45
It’s ALMOST time for picnics (well, if the spring weather plays ball) and these cute-as-a-button flasks from Slowlife are the perfect addition to your setup. They keep stuff hot or cold for hours (we tested some soup in ours – six hours later it was still toasty!) and we can see it being used for heaps of stuff for your outdoor pursuits – snacks, ice, cocktails (what) and anything else that takes your fancy!
New Balance RC42
$190
New Balance has released the latest colourways of the RC42 (‘sea salt with classic pine’ and ‘blue oasis with inkwell’ ), the retro design taking inspiration from 70s silhouettes. This casual, everyday shoe blends fashion and comfort, making it the perfect ‘terrace style’ outfit-enhancer. What is terrace style, you ask (I mean, great question) – it was born in the 70s as a means for football-fans to stay comfortable when on their feet in the stands, cheering for their favourite teams. We just think they look cool!
Tuesday Label Racquet Club Collection
From $99
I (Kelly) am a big fan of Kiwi-designed label Tuesday Club – the clothes are gorgeous but also thoughtfully designed for real bodies (trust me on that, my mid-size 12 rig actually looked pretty great in most of this new collection, if I do say so myself). The new collection is tennis-inspired – think cute sweaters, gorgeous separates, more fancy apres-tennis (I don’t know if that’s a thing) dresses and suiting pieces that I’m still dreaming about. However the Flip mini dress (above) was the showstopper that came home with me (oops) but I know this will be on high rotation in summer. It’s somehow both oversized and tailored – super-flattering and easy to wear.
Weet-Bix Bites Coco Crunch
$9
For the first time ever in its history, Weet-Bix has launched a chocolate-flavoured cereal, Weet-Bix Bites Coco Crunch (if there’s a way to have chocolate for breakfast we’re IN). Delicious AND nutritious, the bite-sized morsels blend the best of both worlds – a chocolatey taste that the whole family will enjoy, combined with the nutritional benefits we have come to know from Weet-Bix – like 74% wholegrains, a four-star health rating, fibre, folate, protein, iron, and essential B vitamins.
Dermalogica BioLumin-C Night Restore
$200
We were EXCITED about this newbie from Dermalogica, the BioLumin-C Night Restore, a vitamin-rich serum that contains a Vitamin C and Pro-Vitamin D Complex that is clinically proven to help restore radiance, hydration and tone overnight. Fans of the beloved award-winning BioLumin-C franchise (me, especially) will be massive fans of this serum (in fact, it’s my favourite serum of all time). This latest innovation turns every night owl into a morning person with skin that is radiant, plumped and energised by daylight. What could be better than knowing you are reversing daytime damage from UV rays and pollutants, in your sleep? Honestly, not much.
Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker
$449.99
The viral TikTok appliance is here and yes sure the weather is pants right now BUT when that sun finally does come back, this little baby will be your best friend. The compact Creami lets you perfectly personalise ice cream (healthy stuff, not healthy stuff etc) and you can also whip up sorbet, gelato and mix-in masterpieces as well as treats like Italian ice, slushi, frozen yoghurt and frozen drinks right at home. This will be your best friend come summer!
Aesop Virēre Eau de Parfum
$220
Evoking sun-warmed citrus fruits, fragrant fig trees and green tea, Aesop’s latest fragrance makes you think of gorgeous vistas and fragrant summer breezes (perfect if the Europe summer wasn’t quite in the budget this year!). Fresh, green and woody notes are forward, and its a gorgeous unisex scent that’ll have your thinking you’re in nature when you’re actually just at your desk counting down the minutes until freedom!
Tresemme Lamellar Shine Range
From $12.99
I (Kelly) got to try this range out for myself and I was SHOOK (are we still saying shook?!) with how shiny and manageable my hair was, while still staying light and flowy. I hate hair products that weigh my fine hair down, but this was actually a big win on all fronts as the shampoo is formulated to help remove dulling build up.
Best Mop with Bucket Set
$42
In this month’s edition of ‘shit, you know you’re getting old when you get excited about…’ here’s the mop that’s been going viral on TikTok (at least I’m not the only one). The Warehouse’s new home range Best has been absolutely hitting, and no product more so than this baby. The Best Mop with Bucket Set features an innovative dual-slot tank system: one for rinsing and another for drying the pad allowing you to effectively wash and wring your flat mop. This removes the need for manual wringing, keeping your hands dry.
Elizabeth Arden HydraPlay Skin Perfecting Daily Moisturiser
$71
Elizabeth Arden has a new addition to the iconic Eight Hour range – HydraPlay Skin Perfecting Daily Moisturiser, a daily moisturiser crafted by the same smarty pants behind the brand’s iconic Eight Hour Cream. The latest innovation from the legacy brand was made for skin minimalists, delivering eight skin-enhancing benefits in a single product.
Designed to simplify your routine while maximising results – its formula hydrates, brightens, perfects, primes, soothes, refines pores, controls oil and more, all within one pump and application. Users can expect this moisturiser to go above and beyond, delivering more than hydration with 97% of users agreeing that their skin felt smoother and looked brighter, while improving makeup wear all day.
DO
Chroma HITT with Sala
Sala, an innovative fitness studio founded by Sarah Lindsay, has launched New Zealand’s first Chroma HIIT Studio. This groundbreaking studio blends the science of colour therapy with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to create an unparalleled “empty the tank” workout that enhances both physical performance and mental well-being.
The Chroma HIIT Studio is the latest addition to Sala’s rapidly expanding offerings. What began as a humble yoga studio in November 2019 has grown to include reformer Pilates, Barre, inversion therapy (ice bath and sauna), and now, a state-of-the-art Chroma HIIT Studio which will be powered through trail blazing LED light walls.
Trivet Opens Its Doors
Auckland has welcomed its newest culinary destination, Trivet! Neighbouring the prestigious JW Marriott Auckland on Albert Street (perfect for your trips to the big smoke), Trivet is a vibrant all-day bistro that aims to effortlessly weave into the city’s cultural fabric.
Helmed by visionary Executive Chef Wallace Mua, who has worked in top kitchens in Marseille and Aotearoa, Trivet represents the culmination of a remarkable culinary journey – think trevally oka, slow-cooked beef cheek cromesquis, gorgeous cocktails and a great wine list!
Whispering Angel Takes Over Queenstown
The snow has finally arrived in Queenstown and so has Whispering Angel – with a delightful pink takeover in various venues until the end of August. Whispering Angel (yup, that rosé) is renowned globally as the epitome of Provence rosé and this August, visitors to Queenstown can ski in and out of the cozy and intimate, Heidi’s Hut at Coronet Peak, and enjoy the best of Après culture with cheese fondue and Whispering Angel by the glass or bottle. Pop in for an ideal après-ski moment.
When back down the mountain, head to Sundays, Soda and Sunfire who have Angel Hour specials happening, every day between 4pm to 6pm!
Storm x Hilton Style & Savour Contemporary Afternoon Tea
Storm and Hilton Auckland have launched their chic new contemporary afternoon tea collaboration. The ‘Style & Savour’ afternoon tea experience is a curated, multi-tiered sweet and savoury offering of bespoke pieces (bao buns, fried sushi rice, spicy tuna tartate, yuzu cheesecake and even a chocolate chilli creme brulee tart) all inspired by Storm’s new ‘Siren Call’ collection. The Capsule gals tried this for ourselves and trust us, it’s to die for!
Kemuri Hi-Fi – a Bespoke Basement Lounge for Lovers of Vinyl, Whisky and Cocktails
An exciting, sultry underground bar inspired by the Japanese jazz kissa, is about to change the flavour of Auckland’s nightlife scene. Kemuri Hi-Fi, now open in Auckland’s Commercial Bay precinct, reflects the lifelong passions of its founders, New Zealand bartending champion Jason Clark and promoter and record collector Vishal Vasan, aka DJ Vee. It’s centred on two unique and extensive personal collections: JC’s stock of fine whisky and Vee’s vinyl. It’s sort-of hidden with a speakeasy vibe, and is the perfect place for a date, a catchup over exceptional cocktails or even for a solo date (it’s got a massive bar that won’t make you feel alone when you’re, well, alone!). Also, don’t miss the fried chicken.
Aosta Does Brunch Now
Central Otago destination restaurants Aosta and Little Aosta in Arrowtownare launching new Italian-style brunch menus this month! The new seasonal brunch menu at Aosta and Little Aosta includes Italian twists on well-loved Kiwi breakfast staples – think ‘Carbonara’ Benedict, The O.G. Bacon Butty, Calabrian Chili Scramble and more. And then of course, there is the Italian staple, coffee. For those looking for something to perk themselves up even more, the team have developed a cracking cocktail list including the Bloody Marika, the Aosta take on the classic Bloody Mary and Manda Rina. Brunch at Aosta and Little Aosta will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
