Hello, hello!

We wish everyone a lovely (though belated) New Calendar Year and New Moon!

This cycle at its full lunation is known as the Wolf Moon. It's an incredible time to reflect within yourself and take inventory, your chance to start anew is a shining light in this season—an invitation to look inward, to do the work and conquer! We hope that 2021 brings you all you desire; for yourself, for your loved ones and for our beautiful earth.

We make hummus every week, mostly the classic, but for the longest time, we had wanted to make another batch of sun-dried tomato hummus. It did not disappoint. Add some grounding depth to your favourite meal bowls, and vegetables.

Sunscreen is for me the essential skincare product, especially living in a country under the ozone layer's hole like New Zealand. However, sunscreens are highly contributing to ocean pollution, significantly in touristic and coral-reef regions. Yet, mainstream beauty doesn't make it easy to find suitable, responsible reef-safe sunscreens. So I put together an extensive guide explaining everything you need to know what to look for and a couple of products' inspiration to find the perfect reef-safe sunscreen.

Thrifting provides a wonderful opportunity to extend the life cycle of a garment, and while positive, the types of fabrics we choose to wear (and wash) have varying environmental impacts. Microplastic release from synthetic fabrics (caused by stresses fabrics undergo during laundering) is one of the primary sources of microplastics in our environment. That said, we put together a short guide on fabrics, what to look for, and avoid.

Last month I re-discovered a few favourites, Kahina Giving Prickly Pear (chill it in the fridge for extra eye de-puffing action) and I’ve also got two products (a balm and all over colour) for make-up minimalists!

1. The economist Ganesh Nana has been appointed by the New Zealand government as chair of the Productivity Commission. This appointment is a change because Ganesh has openly spoken about his concern on capitalism and how economists can measure productivity beyond GDP. Exciting to see what comes out from that!
   
   
2. This year for Christmas, Benoit gifted me the perfect present, a second hand, lovely dress, from one of my favourite New Zealand designers, Maggie Marilyn—barely worn. Second-hand clothing platforms have become my favourite place to shop garments in the latest year. I am a regular on Designer Wardrobe, and have found quite a few items through Koha Apparel, my flatmates charity and retail experience. Can’t remember the last time I stepped foot in a store!
   
   
3. Last week, we got our hands on litres and litres of oat milk! Oatly's NZ wholesaler was doing a considerable promotion, and we stocked up on the Organic and Chocolate versions. Our garage is full of cartons, but what a pleasure to buy this delicious beverage in bulk.

1. I recently purchased Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm (currently sold out but you can find it on Amazon) from Mecca out of curiosity, and so far it’s the best $56 I spent all month. Part oil cleanse and mask, I’m one week in with a more refreshed face. And yes, it’s vegan and cruelty-free.
   
   
2. All my days begin with coffee, and while I still foolishly drink it after 4 pm, with warmer days I’m opting for a cold brew and either Happy Happy Soy Boy or my hazelnut milk. I highly recommend it.
   
   
3. Several months back I made goji juice, and now there’s a 2kg of goji berries en route to our place (and the name of my dog). It’s pink and adds Vitamin C and Iron naturally. My kind of tonic.

Thoughts, questions, you can always direct reply to these emails.
We look forward to hearing from you!

Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua