The great escape

So..when was the last time you went to Waiheke Island?

“Ah nah, what’s the big deal with Waiheke” you’re probably thinking. “It’s full of hippies and new age weirdo’s; and the ferry ride is really expensive blah blah blah”. Well my friend let me tell you something. Firstly, stop talking to yourself, and secondly, consider just how much Waiheke has to offer!

For me recently winter had been a long, cruel, cold son of a you-know-what, so a spring escape was calling me, like a nagging house wife moaning at her husband to do the washing up. Cue Waiheke – somewhere where I hadn’t been for over 8 years and made for a perfect getaway.

Once on board the ferry I felt like I was running away from the madness of work, bills and familiar ground-hog-day routines. An adventure if you like, to a mini paradise within Auckland.

Because Waiheke is an island you’re pretty screwed without transport. We decided to take it as it came, so that we could enjoy a bit of booze without worrying about driving. There’s a bus you can catch from the ferry terminal (you need a bit of patience cos like ‘Fiji Time’ the bus service is laid-back and comes along pretty much whenever it feels like it). There are car hire options of course, and a not-so-bad taxi service too.

I was looking forward to wine tasting at one of the many beautiful vineyards located on Waiheke. Casita-Miro was my favourite, with its romantic French/Italian charm. Just gorgeous. Amazing views. Friendly staff. I could go on. The dinner at Mudbrick Vineyard was lovely too and after 8 years since my last visit there, I can confirm that nothing has changed and it’s still as perfect as usual.

So my suggestion Aucklanders: If you’re fed up with the weather and wanna get away without the involvement of a long drawn-out road kiwi road trip (which are indeed awesome but are often full of traffic jams and those annoying little toilet stops in the bush) –  pack your nearest and dearest and a happy attitude and take yourself over to Waiheke.

I had a ball. You won’t regret it.

Here’s to summer
Auckland Girl

Sick In The City

Oh man! Why is it that every time you quickly pop out to the dairy, dressed in your tracky-dacks, bags under your eyes, no makeup and haven’t washed your hair for two days, you happen to bump into someone who you haven’t seen for over 10 years?!  Why is it that that person looks amazing while you curse silently to yourself and wish you were wearing your darkest shades, possibly even a wig?

This happened to me today. I’ve been sick for 4 days – housebound, bed ridden and had innocently dashed out quick as a fox (my Nana’s words of ‘Don’t get a chill’ echoing in my head) – to feed my bronchitis/cold with the purchase of more panadol, when low and behold there is Miss High School Smarty Pants looking glamorous and beautiful purchasing her bottle of low fat milk. I avoided all eye contact and hope that she didn’t recognise me. I wanted to shout: ‘I don’t normally look like this. Yeah nah, I’m normally pretty tidy me. Yep. Stylish sometimes too’. Instead I coughed and sneezed at the same time, which wasn’t the best move. Argh sods law.

I don’t know about you, but I go a little stir crazy when home for days on end. I’ve slept, made hot lemon drinks, drank litres of orange juice and caught up on ‘Home and Away’. I’ve seen so many adverts for ‘Zumba’ that I cannot wait to get back to the office…

Last weekend a few of us decided to take a day trip to Muriwai. It had been years since I’d laid eyes on the place and I’d forgotten how 45 minutes is all it takes to land you in the peaceful countryside with wild waves and hot black sand which sparkles a shade of purple.  People who live out that way have got it good, and maybe that’s why the Gannets have set up camp there.

I also popped into local neighbourhood bar The Bramble in Onehunga. It’s Onehunga’s best kept secret I reckon (my friends even asked me not to write about it). It’s a delicious small cocktail bar with a beautiful decor and over 2 pages of cocktails on the menu. It’s the type of bar with friendly chatty staff who make you feel at home and it doesn’t matter what you wear either (maybe I should rock up in my tracky-dacks).

Have yourself an ace weekend!
Auckland Girl

Cocktail hour

My lovely friends and I are planning a few cocktails this Friday night. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on gossip and to have a bit of a rant – so in honour of this exciting occasion I thought I’d highlight my top favourite cocktails. Woot!

1. Pina Colada

Now that’s what I’m talking about. The creamy pineapple tang mixed with the strong Bacardi and Malibu combination reminds me of long hot summer fun. One of my favourite songs too.


2. Cosmopolitan

The Sex and The City series made this drink a popular number, and it’s still a favourite of mine. Plus all that cranberry juice must be doing something good for your kidneys, right?


3. Feijoa Moscow Mule

I’m not a fan of the feijoa fruit but mix together a blend of Feijoa Vodka, ginger beer, lime and brown sugar and your taste buds will say ‘hello sailor!’ (or ‘Goodnight Nurse’ depending on the situation).


4. Bellini

Classic and chic, a Bellini – Champagne with a dash of peach schnapps – is a simple cocktail which tastes like a million bucks.


5. Margarita

A few people can’t stomach tequila after a few too many nights of innocent fun in their early 20′s, but who doesn’t like a good margarita? The sudden wake up you receive from the bitter salted edge and sour lime taste is also incredibly refreshing – and of course it’s great with corn chips.


What are your favourite cocktails?
Auckland Girl

Hot Tamale

This weather is pretty damn fine isn’t it? It’s pretty hot and pretty muggy which sometimes in turn doesn’t actually make me feel altogether very pretty …. I’m sure I’m not the only one who suffers from heat induced swelling or sweaty blotchy makeup (yes I know, a lady doesn’t sweat – she glows).

I love a long hot summer – but hells bells, I’ve been a bit of Sweaty Betty lately let me tell you…

The air-conditioning in the office decided not to cooperate last week – which brought on that hot and bothered feeling; and then there was a power failure at my gym which meant zero air conditioning – it was like a sauna, you could literally see the heat radiating from each person.

Speaking of hot, a few friends and I popped into Dida’s Wine bar last week. I hadn’t been there before so I was looking forward to it all day. Dida’s is a lovely popular bar/tapas lounge, and it was jam-packed at 6pm when we arrived on a hot Friday night, thirsty as a wooden dog.

We decided to go somewhere different to eat after a few drinks and headed off for a curry down the road – yes call us crazy:  Indian on a balmy summer night – but we’d been wanting to test drive Shahi, and maybe it’s just a theory but they say eating hot food (or drinking hot tea), cools you down when you’re feeling like a hot tamale…whoever ‘they’ are.

Shahi was a lovely pleasant surprise. Always thought it was just a takeaway joint, but there is upstairs seating on two separate levels over looking Jervois Road. Sorta felt like we were dining in their living room or attic, which was kinda cool. Good choice – and yes I was feeling less hot and bothered afterwards.

Have a great weekend and stay cool ’till after school
Auckland Girl

Up the Duff

Crikey, is it just me or is everyone of late jumping on the pregnant wagon? (excuse the pun).

It seems like every time you turn around, another friend, family member or colleague has a special announcement, and while I’m very happy for these people, I can’t help but wonder why the sudden rush to keep up with the Joneses? Did I miss the memo/text/Facebook feed?

I was talking to a friend about this the other day and she agrees. It’s like a new decade is underway and everyone is freaking out about getting old, so are in a hurry to get up the duff and procreate.

I’m actually slightly concerned for the next person who rushes up to me, beaming about their news while rubbing their stomach fondly, because it’s likely that I won’t even bat an eyelid….lol it’s crazy!

Anywho, I’ve been having a great few weeks so far this year, catching up with people and enjoying the long summer nights. Have visited Maggie’s (great all day breakfast); Bonita (rad authentic Spanish bar with good sangria and tapas) and Chapel (one of my favourite bars, you can’t keep me away).

I’m still trying to figure out my new year resolution(s). I’ve never been one to make a list and follow it through, I just sorta go with my gut and achieve the resolution if I feel like it. I’m thinking a sky dive might be in order sometime this summer, and will possibly take up yoga again so I feel good inside and out. Hell, I might even get a tattoo if I feel like it….maybe.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!
Auckland Girl

Summer Daze

Isn’t it smashing being on holiday where every day’s a Saturday, and every night’s a Friday night?!

Sleeping in until you feel like getting up smiling smugly at the thought of no dreaded alarm clock; spending the day at the beach, going on a road-trip or choosing to be out and about all night long; meeting up with mates and their little ones who you haven’t seen since your last holiday amazed at how much they’ve grown (the kids that is, not the beer bellies); lazing around in jandals or bare feet in a bit of a daze but without a care in the world.

Nice one…oh sugar, sorry if you’ve had to go back to work already (no, I’m not really sorry).

I’ve been spending the first few days of the year frowning madly at my little holiday belly and have become quite the Gym Whore, pounding the treadmill with one eyebrow raised, cursing the trifle, pav and non-stop boozing…and Nana’s home made Lemon Curd.

I sadly have a funeral to attend to on Friday. Followed by a Wedding 3 hours later. Golly that’s going to be an emotional day of sorts. Must not play the woe-is-me-all-alone-Spinster card, particularly when drinking. It’s not about me, it’s about them!

Right, it’s a beautiful day in Auckland, and I’m off for a long lunch in the sun – just because I can.

Laters
Auckland Girl

The Hens Do

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Hens Do. Well, actually it was specifically not a Hens Night. By this I mean the Bride to Be declared that there was to be none of this pink veil, bartender kissing, bunny ears bollocks. No Sir. It was to be a classy girls night out – in fact ‘Christmas Drinks with close friends’ if anything – which was one hundred percent fine with me.

We kicked off with a few glasses of champagne and chardonnay at the Onehunga bungalow then did the people carrier thing into Town. We had dinner at La Zeppa, a favourite hangout of ours which we are all quite smitten with.

It was a great choice; the tapas went down well as did the copious bottles of wine.  I’m the first to admit that I’m a bit of a light weight and I fell over twice in the space of 2 hours, but I wasn’t about to let that ruin me. After we fought over the bill we then decided on nearby Shanghai Lil’s for a few more drinks. I’m pretty sure I haven’t been to Shanghai Lil’s before but there was something familiar about the place. Comforting old skool hip sums it up. Maybe it reminded me of UK/Europe, who knows, but I liked it, I liked it a lot because it’s different and it’s quirky.

We then felt a dance was in order so decided to walk – yes walk – up Franklin Road to Ponsonby. It was very cool to see Franklin Road lit up for Christmas. It’s a long walk and my feet (stomping in 5 inch heels) were pleading mercy, but I still found it mesmerising (yes, I know, it was probably the wine). Had a bit of a boogie at Chapel Bar which is always fun, then headed to Whiskey Bar for a well deserved sit down and some posing for the camera. To top off the night we headed home via McDonald’s for some 3am lining of the stomach, as you do (and regretted the next morning). One of the best nights out in ages with laughter, dancing and vino. I can’t wait for the wedding!

I’ve recently returned from a road trip to New Plymouth to visit my 94 year old Nana. Good weather and lots of cuddles, which is always tops in my books.

I’ve heard a rumour that it’s Christmas tomorrow. Admittedly am feeling a little, I dunno… bah humbug? but I’m sure that a combination of the arrival of my brother from Australia, presents and the gathering of friends and family will definitely perk me up. Bring on the pav!

Merry Chrimbo everyone
Auckland Girl

The Silly Season

Holy Haka, it’s busy at this time of year aye?

Christmas parties, seasonal catch-up drinks, hangovers, wedding invites, bbqs, summer festivals …crumbs it’s choice.

I’ve had the pleasure of some great dinners out and about Auckland recently including De Fontein, Goode Brothers, Fig & Olive and Mutiara. It’s nice to press pause, relax and spend some quality time with close friends and special people during this silly season and the busy lead up to Christmas.

We had our work Christmas Party last week. The theme was 80s Irish Beach Rave. Yes, I know. But I love a good costume party and fully got into the swing of things with my 1980s bling. It’s always amusing seeing people from work in clothes other than what you’re used to seeing 9 to 5 (which sounds a bit dodgy, but I don’t intend it to be).

I saw Pearl Jam a couple of weeks ago. Talk about impressive. Sell out crowd, massive long set, and not one but three encores. Rock N Roll. The tribute to Chris Knox was pretty awesome too.

I can’t actually believe this but I accidentally broke not one but two mirrors last week within the space of two days. Talk about paranoid. I now wonder if I will spend the next 7-14 years avoiding bad luck like that movie ‘Final Destination’. I’m trying to remain positive.

Have a great week and remember to wear your best smile
Auckland Girl