As we settle into the heart of winter In New Zealand, there’s something about the colder months that invites a slower pace ... more time for cosy comforts, nourishing routines, and maybe even a little indulgence (skincare included, of course).
Below, you’ll find a peek into what we’ve been doing and loving lately
Kirsty
Our household has officially graduated to the “parent of a 4-year-old” club (which the newly 4-year-old reminds me of daily). We survived a house full of fabulously dressed mini princesses dancing to APT and Roar and lots of Elsa.
For Matariki, we braved the cold and went camping in the caravan with all the young cousins, the heater was very necessary! My brother has suggested naming our caravan “Past Tents” = very clever and totally agree...
On the business front, Hark & Zander has been nominated for an Excellence in Sustainability Award from the 2degrees Business Awards - very exciting! It also means we’re in the running for the People’s Choice award, so we’ll be sure to send out that link soon.
We recently sent out an invite to you, our inner circle, asking for volunteers for a focus group — and the response blew me away! Thank you!! I’m really looking forward to sharing the upcoming products and ideas with this group and getting valuable feedback.
I spoke at a research conference, sharing first-year results from my hemp & vineyard soil carbon project. I also had the fun job of MC’ing NZ Winegrowers Marlborough Grape Day, which mostly involved taking notes on the best one-liners from our speakers and using them against them later in the programme.
On a personal note, I’m currently prepping for a colonoscopy (yay me), after losing a loved one to bowel cancer and being a high-risk case myself. It’s a good reminder that looking after our health is so important. I’m treating it as a time for fasting and a free colonic — which frankly still baffles me as something people choose to do voluntarily!
That’s quite enough from my world this month. I look forward to checking in with you again next time. Stay safe and warm, and remember to take some time for yourself… I’ve discovered that popping in for a 15-minute head massage at the mall once a month is pure joy for the senses 😊
Kirsty x
Cushla
I have to admit, I’m not usually winter’s biggest fan - maybe it’s a summer baby thing? But this year, I’ve been making more of an effort to embrace the season and all its cosy comforts. I’ve been loving the glow of the wood burner in the evenings and the scent of slow-cooked dinners warming up the house.
The only downside? My skin has definitely been feeling the effects of indoor heating. Lucky I work in the right place! 😉 I’ve found myself reaching for more of my night crème than usual and layering a few drops of face oil on top before bed to really lock in the hydration. It’s made such a difference.
Behind the scenes at H&Z, we’ve been connecting with some amazing women, (true experts in their fields), and working on some exciting projects we can’t wait to share.
On the reading front, I’ve nearly finished See How they Fall by Auckland author Rachel Paris. Her writing reminds me a bit of Liane Moriarty. Set in Sydney, it’s full of complex family dynamics, secrets, and twists that have kept me up far too late. Highly recommend if you enjoy a smart, gripping read.
TV-wise, I finally watched Firefly Lane on Netflix, and loved it. It’s a beautiful story of female friendship through the decades, with all the music, fashion and nostalgia to match. Over the Matariki long weekend, I curled up to watch Lee, with Kate Winslet as wartime photographer Lee Miller. It’s a powerful, often confronting film that follows her journey through World War II as she documented the frontlines and uncovered the brutal truths of the Holocaust. A remarkable story about a woman who helped change the way the world saw the war (and the strength it took to do it).
And on the complete opposite end of the spectrum... my guilty pleasure is back: America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders! It’s such an easy watch, and this season gives a surprisingly human, behind-the-scenes look at what really goes into the big smiles, big hair, and big performances!
Until next time, stay warm, stay cosy, and treat yourself to a good story (or two).
Cushla x
Charlotte
I’ve been loving the cosier weather lately and am well and truly in full winter mode! I absolutely love the search for heat and comfort-especially when it is through soup and carbs. My current favourite has been a revival of the old Tiktok feta pasta trend but with a vegan protein twist: I sub out the feta for a homemade tofu ricotta mixture and the regular pasta for either one with additional fibre, or red lentil pasta.
I’m always interested in levelling up my wellness routine, and this month I’ve been giving skin flooding a try so I can write an article (coming soon!) for the Our Journal section on the H&Z website. So far, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how dewy my skin is. It might just be the winter fix my skin needs!
As a major winter treat, I’ve also purchased a small pack of sauna vouchers that use infrared light, so I can soak up some warmth, get a good sweat in, and enjoy the benefits of red light therapy all at once. Bonus points if you bring a book or a podcast with you!
On the media front, I’ve dived into an old fan favourite, the Outlander book series, and I’m absolutely obsessed so far. Once I’ve made my way through the books, I’ll get to continue the journey with the HBO-produced adaptation (thank you, Neon). The books are a bit hefty (book one is around 850 pages and they only get longer from there), but for me, that just means extra evenings curled up reading, with my heater fan on and my sweet baby cat by my side.
Charlotte x
