Hello, hello!

Last week we observed the Winter solstice, and here in the Southern Hemisphere, this also means Winter, a period of deep restoration and yet, a season that can present its unique issues. Preparing for more time spent at home, we share two recipes—a goji concentrate and an almond chocolate oatmeal, both delicious and restorative. Our latest article features a roundup of foods you can easily integrate into your daily routine, offering a layer of defence against the seasonal shift sans visits to the drugstore. And in search of purposeful, contemporary and timeless jewellery pieces, we listed our finds in a new Instagram guide.

For those tuned into the global news, beyond the constant chatter of a recession, the Canuck wildfires plunged New York City into some dystopian Blade Runner-esque vision. It can be hard to pretend all is normal; many people struggle and worry about the future. Despite this, we believe that the ways of living we discuss, and share can accompany us into the future, reimagining new ways forward.

In many ways, curiosity can be a cure for anxiety. With more time indoors, we turn to rituals as a way of connecting to ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually. Can you create space for yoga practice, finish the book at your bedside or revisit an abandoned personal project? What does the coming month hold for you? What will you give time to? How will you protect your peace?

Goji berries are nutrient-packed powerhouses—think Vitamin C and Iron. A frequent addition to oatmeal, we turned to preparing a goji concentrate—a favourite way to replenish and infuse our body with nutrients. With the change of season, we turn to food to uplevel how we feel, and this drink is a colour therapy of pink.

When we consider the role food plays in protecting and supporting our immune system, food is always first! Here we share 10 plant foods and nutrients to boost your immune system now and beyond the cold and flu season. Expect to find a variety of vegetables, antioxidants in abundance and tonics to include in your daily routine.

Oatmeal reimagined. A recent collaboration with Flint Chocolate, an Almond Butter bar is married with creamy oatmeal, vanilla sugar, hemp seeds and almond butter for an oatmeal rich in essential minerals, fibre and antioxidants. Mornings (or afternoons) just got better.

Longevity is the best form of sustainability. Beyond some heirloom pieces, as Amandine and I began searching for jewellery that would be purposeful, crafted from responsibly sourced materials, contemporary, yet timeless, we've ended up with a Rolodex of brands committed to sustainability and an ethos that less is more. Head to our Instagram Guides for jewellery brands creating pieces intended to be worn all day, every day and long admired.

1. I am getting married in less than a month now! For the day, I’ve decided to wear my favourite [and apparently Cynthia Nixon’s] Aotearoa makeup brand, Aleph. The products are multi-functional; you can do a lot with a small selection, which is practical to carry while travelling. And this makeup also has potent skincare properties, so I am guaranteed to (almost) look fresh for brunch the day after. In my suitcase, I will have the mascara, gel liner and Flicker eye pigment for extra shine on the eyes—and concealer/foundation, which I plan to mix with my face oil for light coverage.
   
   
2. I’ve been talking to my friends about this article for months but never shared it, so now is the occasion. “Everyone needs to grow up” develops the idea that the capitalist elites encourage people’s infantilization in order to make more profit. Agency denial, irresponsibility, and public oversharing are a few symptoms. And that this global immaturity could pave the way to fascism. Essential reading.
   
   
3. My APW social club teammate Emma Hinton recently published her first book! Finding Grace | Kimihia a Grace is a bilingual children’s picture and poetry book narrating the connection and movement of a child with Nature. A work of collaboration between Emma and Nicky Hartley and translated in Te Reo Māori by Loic McIver, Finding Grace is an ode to Nature that will equally nourish the creativity of the young and oldest.

1. While researching for an article I discovered this gem, an interview with Architect, author and entrepreneur Thomas Rau explaining waste as a service, and why this approach is required if we are—if Governments are, to place power and responsibility for materials with the producer — not the consumer.
   
   
2. Since purchasing these earrings have hardly taken them off! Handcrafted from silver of a 100% recycled and certified source and gold vermeil, a very wearable earring for all occasions.
   
   
3. As an avid consumer of Duck Island the recent announcement that a Boysenberry Cheesecake was the latest addition to the vegan offering. At the house we have been collecting the pints to return for composting—apt timing given this flavour is exclusively at scoop shops!

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

Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua