view from the tarmac

Taxiing to gate at Christchurch Airport

beach and fish markets

Balmoral Beach, Sydney

Salt & Pepper Calamari

Perfect day to go to the beach, and then afterwards visit the Sydney Fish Markets.

baghdad eggs... eggs that blow up in your face

Baghdad Eggs

This morning I woke up to the smell of garlic and cumin cooking... soon enough I discovered it was Baghdad Eggs cooking on the stove, something I haven't had in two years!

a spot of shopping

Stefano High Tops, Witchery Man

Bought a new pair of shoes today that will go with everything. They're a low high top canvas sneaker with strap and buckle details and a zip for easy access. Perfect for skinny jeans which are a staple in my wardrobe.

gone are the days of turning left to experience business class

Pre-Flight Amenities - Orange Juice, Menu, Newspaper

Starter - Vanilla Poached Salmon with Endive Salad and Dill Creme

Main Course - Three Cup Chicken with Egg Fried Rice, Kai Lan, Carrot and Black Mushroom

Dessert - Ice cream selection of Cookies & Cream and Black Doris Plum served with Chocolate & Almond Wafer

Air New Zealand offer a great Business Class product across the Tasman which I have now experienced for the first time . Although I have travelled Business Class a few times on Emirates (MEL-AKL, SYD-AKL) and Thai (BKK-SYD-AKL) I have never had the chance to try Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand offer benefits such as 3 pieces of checked baggage, 2 pieces of carry-on baggage, Koru Lounge access, and express facilities upon arrival in Sydney.

starting to pack

4 hours in napier

louis vuitton bequia porte-document vertical

Introducing my Louis Vuitton Bequia Porte-Document Vertical in Anthracite from the Men's F/W 2007 collection. I was lucky enough to be pointed in the direction of the bag that I have wanted ever since I saw it on a guy on the train when I was in Rome in 2008. This bag has been very well looked after, and was surprisingly purchased at the Louis Vuitton store in Munich in April 2009; almost certainly the last new one in existence at that stage!

6 hours in queenstown

Another grabaseat flight, this time from Christchurch to Queenstown for $2 return. I flew to Christchurh from Auckland that morning in time to catch my next flight to Queenstown, which was covered in fog. We faced the prospect of diverting to Invercargill or heading back to Christchuch, however the fog managed to move just in time for us to land.

mother's day

What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than with a huge window mosaic of post-it notes with personal messages written on them, not only wishing a Happy Mother's Day, but also reflecting just how multicultural Auckland really is.

lest we forget

ANZAC Projection: Heroes of Gallipoli at the Auckland War Memorial Museum

louis vuitton auckland

Window display for the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland

MacBook Pro

pippa blake: journey

Image: Pippa Blake, Hibernia Prow I, 2006, oil, pencil and pastel on canvas

Pippa Blake embarked on possibly the most significant journey of her life following the tragic and untimely death of her husband, Sir Peter Blake. Pippa Blake's paintings embody both physical journeys, often water borne, and the metaphorical journey she herself is on.

Given the long association of Sir Peter and Pippa Blake with Louis Vuitton, Pippa Blake's exhibition is a natural partner event for the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland (9-21 March 2010). With its spectacular waterfront, Auckland will provide an excellent platform to showcase the Louis Vuitton Trophy, inspired by the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series held in Auckland 2009. The inaugural Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta was held in Nice last November and following its success, the second regatta commences on 9 March 2010. This duel will see eight international teams battle over a fortnight and is set to be the main attraction of the Auckland Festival of Sails.

The Pippa Blake: Journey exhibition will be open from 5-28 March at Louis Vuitton Queen Street from 10am-6pm daily.

a beautiful sunrise means a beautiful day

weekend away in cairns

After having my offer accepted in the Air New Zealand Grabaseat Silent Auction which closed last week, I flew to Cairns this morning for a weekend getaway. After a 5½ hour flight and some issues at customs, I arrived to 32°C weather and it was only 9am!

The Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, was the perfect location to stay at with a view of the marina as well as the being under the flight path of flights arriving and departing Cairns.

if you wait for something long enough, you may just get it

Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Brooch (Fuschia)

I have waited for the Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Brooch for a long time. New Zealand didn't get many of the Graffiti SLG's, so when I went to Sydney I had to choose between the Graffiti Tie or the brooch. I ended up with the tie and said goodbye to the brooch forever.

By chance, I was looking at the Graffiti items on the Louis Vuitton website and noticed that the Graffiti Brooch was still available for purchase online. I immediately emailed a friend in LA to check the availability in stores, only to find that the only store with stock was in New York.

As my NZ issued credit card wouldn't work on the Louis Vuitton website, I was offered the chance to get my brooch by having my friend order it online and for me to meet up with her when I was in LA to collect and pay for it! Of course I jumped at the chance and now I am the proud owner of, what could possibly the only one in New Zealand, the Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Brooch.

While I was at Rodeo Drive to collect my brooch, I picked up the 2010 refill for my Agenda which will hopefully be my last purchase for a while!