With many delicious varieties to choose from, pears bring a subtle, sweet flavour, juiciness and unique texture to the table. Read on for all the pear recipes you’ll need this autumn, with the humble fruit adding a burst of flavour to goat’s cheese c

Winning top points for label design, this smooth mix of hazelnuts and cacao boasts just as much goodness on the inside of the jar. $15.99 poppyandolive.co.nz Imagine scorched almonds blended and poured into a jar, and you’re close to the taste-tastic

This Mother’s Day, don your best apron and whip up a batch of bikkies to share with the mother figure in your life. Choose a citrus shortbread or transform a simple yet delicious vanilla biscuit into a pretty raspberry jam drop. For mums out there wi

Blue mascara is back – in a deep, rich tone to enhance any eye colour. This natural formulation combines mineral pigments with nourishing beeswax to soothe and protect delicate lashes. $48 drhauschka.com If big, bold lashes are your thing then this c

While the term ‘cruelty free’ is one we’ve long been familiar with, the issue is still far from black and white. In New Zealand, testing on animals is still legal for consumer and medical research reasons, but back in 2015 the government signed a bil

More than just a morning essential to kick-start your day, coffee is a great flavour enhancer for both sweet and savoury recipes. Try it in a light-textured, moist pecan cake, rolled into truffles or used as a sauce for sticky ribs. Ready in 1 hour |

After suffering unimaginable trauma at the age of 15, aspiring Olympic gymnast Lucia Osborne-Crowley sought solace in reading, and in the process began her journey to healing. $18.99 Allen & Unwin If there is ever a time to take advice from a monk it

Bananas are a wise choice for people looking to eat more ‘brain food’ as they are a potent source of magnesium and vitamin B6 – two micronutrients that are widely recognised for their ability to improve memory and focus. So bananas are making you sma

Esther McDonald (Ngā Puhi), of Thea Ceramics, creates naturally beautiful mugs, tumblers, dishes, vases and more, which are being snapped up by savvy pottery fans. Cafes and restaurants around the country, such as Wellington’s Flight Coffee Hangar an

A classic tan handbag is a wardrobe staple. Dressed up or down, this is a gift that will never date. $369 briarwood.co.nz Channel Moroccan vibes with these stunning 22k gold plate statement earrings. $375 zoeandmorgan.com The world’s comfiest footwea

First of all, let’s clear up one thing: medicinal (or medical) cannabis is legal in New Zealand. That isn’t to say you’re free to smoke marijuana because you have a bad back. What it does mean is that the use of cannabis, manufactured to very specifi

With a background in environmental science, it was second nature to Mahuru Wilcox to look to the land when creating Hau Botanicals, her range of natural skincare. Learning about the practice of rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing) and discovering

The Wishbone Bike RE2 turns waste plastic into an award-winning, multifunctional design for kids aged 12 months to 6 years. Children learn confidence and independence on a three-in-one bike that fits perfectly as they grow. Learn to walk with three w

The laundry is one of the hardest-working rooms in the home but it can also harbour many harmful chemicals. Studies have shown that cleaning products can contain ingredients that harm the lungs, cause asthma and are formulated or contaminated with ca

Each successful advocates of growing and cooking nutrient-dense food in their own right, Kay Baxter and daughter Amber Rose are now working together to further their ‘real food’ message. Kay, 67, an organic gardening pioneer and co-founder, with her

Bringing colour and culinary expertise to Warkworth, north of Auckland, is Pete & Mary’s Eatery. Siblings Suzanna and Tim Uhlworm opened the cafe in January with their spouses, Joel and Jessica. The eatery is named after Suzanna and Tim’s late grandp

If you’re looking to give your bedroom a small-scale style update, adding upcycled bedside tables is a great place to start. Browse secondhand shops or online for a small character table that speaks your language, then simply slice, sand, seal and pa

Brigit Blair, the founder of natural skincare company Linden Leaves, is celebrating a quarter of a century in the beauty business, with her family right beside her. You started your beauty brand in 1995. What are the biggest changes you have seen in

Cosier weather calls for comfort cooking so satisfy your cravings with our line-up of one-pan dishes, page 62, that not only taste delicious but only require one pot, pan or skillet. Pies are back on the menu! In all fairness, do they ever go out of

Photographer Alice, 37, and her husband first became interested in naturism – the practice of being nude in natural and social settings – in their homeland of South Africa. At the time, the former law student was working as a nude model and photograp

Taking it nice and slow is the best way to start a long weekend – just ask brunch queen Fran Mazza, co-creator of popular Auckland cafes Winona Forever, Sugar and Rude Boy. We share some of her best breakfast recipes (and a twist on a traditional Eas

With multiple travel restrictions in place around the world, many of us have put holidays on hold. Luckily for the armchair traveller, the new book Hidden Places (Inspired Traveller’s Guide) by Sarah Baxter, illustrated by Amy Grimes (Quarto Group, d

Whether you’re social distancing or self-isolating due to Covid-19 concerns, or simply in nesting mode, you’ll probably be spending a lot more time at home right now. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t connect with nature. Whether it’s on yo

Whether you’re a die-hard traditionalist or a modernist who will experiment with a chocolate version, nothing says ‘Easter holidays’ quite like a freshly toasted hot cross bun slathered in butter. Ready in 50 minutes plus 2½ hours’ proving | Makes 9

In a small forest on the outskirts of Tokyo, a woman with sleek black glasses is examining the ground. Eventually, she finds the perfect spot to spend the next few hours staring at a canopy thick with bamboo trees, their colours plucked from the brig