NEXT January 2018

We’re not always great at being kind to ourselves It’s all about you Are you sitting comfortably? Got your cup of tea/glass of something cool and refreshing? Good, then we’ll begin. We need to talk about you. Yes, you. I hope the sun is shining on you right now. I hope nobody is bothering you about making them a snack/ finding their togs/catering to a party of 12 they’ve just invited round on the spur of the moment. I hope you’re not trying to multi-task reading this magazine with, well, anything. This moment is for you, and you deserve it. Does that make you feel uncomfortable? Women are very good at being kind to others. If I had a dollar for every smart, successful woman I’ve met who has gone…

Eleanor [Ozich], I loved your Soapbox in the December issue. I have your first book and I’m on your page, of which there are many! Your article reminds me of the 50s, and you are a 50s product even though you never experienced it. I grew from birth to seven in that decade so was never a busy mother during Christmas craziness... I loved reading your article and you so have your finger on the button. Slow down, less is more and pre-prep of food is brilliant, thereby leaving one freer and less stressed to enjoy the moments with family and friends. If only the world would focus more on such treasures and forget the limelight scenario, wow, what a superb place we would all be in. SLEEPING EASY I…

‘If time and money were no object, what would you do NEXT?’ “Stop work; make our current house a holiday home for people who can’t afford holidays; write my memoirs; do a PhD; travel; contribute to charities.” Paula, 60+, Ida Valley, Central Otago “Buy or build a house for myself, plus one each for my two sons.” Drina, 40-59, Auckland “Teach art classes and spiritual life balance classes. I would build a centre in a nature area and make it an affordable retreat where people of both genders and all ages, come to rest and revive.” Gina, 40-59, Auckland “Learn Te Reo, learn to cook Italian food, work out every day, and travel with my whanau.” Gwen, 40-59, Hamilton “We would buy a brand new motor home and travel around NZ first and…

HIGH TIMES Mountain tarn at Key Summit along the Routeburn track. The half-day trek has panoramic views over Fiordland National Park. The Great Walks pass through some of the country’s HIDDEN GEM The Blue Spring along the Te Waihou Walkway. The three-hour return journey takes you past the internationally-acclaimed spring. LIFE ON TOP The Emerald Lakes fill explosion craters near the summit along the Tongariro Crossing, which winds its way through volcanic landscape.. most spectacular and awe-inspiring landscapes FREE FALLING The stunning Earland Falls along the Routeburn Track. The six-hour hike makes for an easy day walk, with plenty of views along the way. SEA TO SKY The easy three-hour trek from Tapotupotu Bay offers sweeping coastal views before finishing up at the iconic lighthouse at Cape Reinga. From vast…

1 THE ART SHOW… Six of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s iconic Infinity Rooms – artworks reflected multiple times in a room of mirrors – are touring the US and Canada until 2019. You can snap a pic of yourself against the kaleidoscopic background – and the ‘likes’ on your Instagram will soar to infinity and beyond. For dates see hirshhorn.si.edu. 2 THE DESIGN… Who said libraries couldn’t be sexy? China’s new Tianjin Binhai Library outside Beijing is a futuristic temple of reading. 3 T HE EARRINGS… These 22k gold plate Zoe and Morgan beauties are on our wishlist for the New Year. Not exactly budget, at $450, but we can dream… 4 THE CARD SET... Perfect for a rainy day at the bach, playing cards just got a little bit…

My typical day… My working week is so varied as I’m self-employed, but there are some regular features to each week. I teach yoga classes at Positive Balance on Auckland’s North Shore and I have my radio show on a Saturday at Radio Live. Outside of that the days are filled up with the kids and their routines. After dropping the two big kids at school I always go for a walk with the baby to fit some exercise in, then I’ll often have a coffee with girlfriends before heading home and figuring out my daily priorities. I write them down to make sure I don’t get off track (social media and replying to emails is a shocker for this). I’ve had to become very focused and clear in my…