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Christchurch Staycation Guide

stay·ca·tion

/stāˈkāSHn/
noun informal
a holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

The process of discovering the city in which you reside can take months, even years. I’ve now lived in Christchurch for seven months. I am beginning to feel as though I have a sense of the city and how it’s laid out. There’s much to love about the transitional city as well as several local spots to explore. If you’re a local in need of a refresh, why not stay right here in the garden city?

Stay/

For me, no staycation is complete without a night away in new surroundings. Hotel Montreal offers contemporary luxury suites that overlook Hagley Park. Only a five-minute walk from the bustling Victoria Street precinct, I was initially drawn to this hotel because of its name. How could I resist a little piece of Canada in Christchurch? The elegant suites are impressive in size and fully equipped with kitchenettes, lounges and an excellent compendium of reading material. I was completely content thumbing through Living In Style, Paris while feeling as though I too had escaped to the city of lights. The cushion collection, all soft blues and yellows, is commendable as well. Pour yourself a drink and watch the world go by on your astro turf balcony or head downstairs for a cocktail followed by a game of croquet. The last time I played croquet was on my grandparents’ yard as a teenager and it’s still as much fun as I remember.

Nick and I were treated to a delectable breakfast at the elegant and understated, Polo Bar. Here, you’ll be forgiven if you mistake the waitstaff for Ralph Lauren employees in their preppy attire. Attentive and immaculately dressed with silk HM monogrammed neck scarves, I felt as though I stepped into a polo club. As Argentina’s national sport, the restaurant boasts an extensive menu of hot and cold tapas and breakfast staples like apple, cinnamon pancakes and smoked salmon hash.

Arts & Culture/

After reluctantly tearing yourself away from Hotel Montreal, make a point of visiting the Christchurch Art Gallery. Recently reopened after five years of renovations (including base isolators), Christchurch’s public (free!) art gallery is an architectural masterpiece of flowing glass. I’ve been known to snap photos of and rave about Martin Creed’s ‘Everything’s going to be all right’ light work and Michael Parekowhai’s giant bull on the piano inside. The rest of the gallery is constantly evolving with both local and international installations.

Take note of the gallery’s newest addition. Ronnie van Hout’s self-portrait can be spotted from miles away.

Next door is the Centre of Contemporary Art. The much-smaller modernist-style building which began as the Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery in the 1880s. The two-storey building plays host to seasonal collections from local, national and international contemporary artists! After visiting CoCA, stop by the gorgeous Great Hall at the Arts Centre.

Before catching a show at Isaac Theatre Royal, be sure to have a boogie on the Dance-O-Mat. One of the Gap Filler’s best known projects, this is a dance floor you won’t soon forget. Simply pop a $2 coin into the old Laundromat washing machine, plug in your iPod or MP3 player and dance along to your favourite tune. The Dance-O-Mat is symbolic of Christchurch’s ever-changing CBD and considered a must-visit by locals and tourists.

Relax/

One of the best ways to unwind is to treat yourself to a facial at Total Body Concept on Salisbury Street. Known for their specialised skin care, the day spa offers treatments to reverse ageing, prevent further damage and maintain a young, healthy, glowing complexion. Having struggled with changing climates, the team at TBC has helped rejuvenate and repair my skin.

Shop/

Christchurch is full of farmers markets, Lyttelton, Riccarton, Opawa. I usually visit Riccarton Farmers Market on Saturdays where I love picking up an açai bowl for breakfast, some fresh bread, a bit of produce, and occasionally sweets from J’aime les macarons. Riccarton Bush is a lively yet serene place to spend a morning, with live music by the river. You’ll undoubtedly bump into someone you know.

The Re:START mall will soon be replaced by a more permanent shopping precinct, so be sure to visit in the meantime. Here you’ll find New Zealand designers at local boutiques, Infinite Definite and Head Over Heels. Christchurch’s oldest department store, Ballantynes, offers an elevated shopping experience. After shopping, pop by the Bus Interchange to appreciate the architecture; a small win for transportation in Christchurch. Afterwards, peruse the extensive collection of films at Alice Cinemathèque or catch an afternoon flick at the arthouse cinema.

Food & Drink/

In need of a snack? I can’t go past Gentle Giant for their waffles and matcha lattes and Hello Sunday for their unique and ever-changing menu. If you’re after something a little stronger, visit speakeasy-style, O.G.B. Bar at Heritage Hotel and feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. Order a cocktail and settle in for some live music in the intimate surroundings.

Rather than escaping the city, why not spend the weekend exploring Christchurch? With a bit of preparation, you’ll find it to be the perfect playground for adventure.

July 4, 2016
Onwards and Upwards

You may have noticed that things have been a little quiet around these parts…

I recently started a new position, which helped reinforce my decision to move to Christchurch.

We all know that social media is deceiving, only showcasing a short highlight reel of a person’s life. And while my Instagram account features carefully curated breakfasts and #OOTDs, I’ve always tried to be as transparent as possible on prairie girl musings. Honesty is what I value most in my favourite bloggers. Some of you may remember my new year blog post where I lamented veering slightly off course. If you had asked me my five-year plan, I would’ve stared at you blankly.

After sorting out my visa, I spent several hours looking at job boards, but nothing really resonated with me until I came across a posting for a Digital Marketer. The two words jumped out at me and I submitted my application right then and there. And I’m pleased to share that I’ve now been a part of the Plato Creative team for three months.

As the largest creative studio in the South Island, Plato’s list of clients is extensive and diverse. With so much happening in Christchurch, I can’t think of a more exciting place to be. The team is driven and focused yet incredibly social. The culture at Plato is a noticeable point of difference, and one of the reasons I was so drawn to the company. I tried not to get my hopes up, but after my first visit to their office, I could already see myself working there. While other job applications felt exhausting, this process felt exhilarating. Needless to say, it’s been a whirlwind since my first day in April.

That being said, with a new full-time job, blog posts have been a tad sporadic as of late. However, I could never abandon this blog as it has taught me a great deal about myself and my desired profession. Thanks for being a part of the journey! x

June 27, 2016
On surviving winter in June

As a child, I loved winter. I would frolic in the snow, completely unaware that frostbite was an imminent possibility in the -30 degree freeze. I also anticipated my birthday and Christmas, the build up so big I didn’t care that I couldn’t feel my face whenever I stepped outside.

That said, living in Christchurch and experiencing winter in June has been a bit of a rude awakening. While my family and friends are sending me snapchats of music festivals, pool parties, ice cream cones, and cottage road trips, I have been shivering in perpetual darkness. Okay, I wrote that for dramatic effect, it’s actually really sunny in Christchurch. And in the spirit of being positive and making the most of the season, I’ve compiled a list of ways to combat the winter blues.

What’s better than red wine? Mulled red wine seasoned with cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, etc. Sweet and aromatic, I’m considering swapping my coffee habit with a mulled wine habit over the next few months. I appreciate that the bars in Christchurch (Smash Palace) serve this regularly throughout the colder months and others host festivals like the recent one at Dux Central.

I used to ski quite regularly in Canada, but I’ve never had access to a season pass or a mountain right on my doorstep before. Living so close to the Southern Alps, I’ll be venturing to Mount Hutt as frequently as possible. See you on the slopes?

Photo via Natalie’s Facebook.

Thank goodness for slow cookers! Chop up some veggies and meat, throw it in the slow cooker, add some seasoning, and return home to warm supper already prepared.

As far as I’m aware, electric blankets aren’t really a thing in Canada. They are, however, hugely popular (and a necessity) in Christchurch. On our weekly trip to Briscoes we picked up my first electric blanket and I couldn’t be more excited to snuggle into bed tonight.

Hot yoga is much more satisfying in the winter. Spending 90 minutes in a 40-degree room during the summer months feels torturous, but in winter, it feels like a luxury. Actually, working out in general feels great in the winter.

I’ll take any excuse to bundle up and wear as many layers as possible. Winter fashion means peacoats, scarves and boots. I’m especially fond of winter whites and pastels this year.

There’s something so wonderful about settling in for a movie by the fire or venturing out to the cinema to see a new film during the colder months.

Now tell me, what do you enjoy about winter?

June 5, 2016
Wonderful Wellington Weekends

I’ve professed my love for Wellington on numerous occasions. It’s my favourite New Zealand city for its cafe culture, fashion sense, art, film scene, and walkability. The list goes on, but let’s just say, I’ll never turn down a trip to Wellington. Here are my recommendations, whether you have a week or a weekend in the capital.

There are plenty of accommodation options in Wellington, but nothing beats a stay at Museum Art Hotel. It used to sit where Te Papa now resides, but was moved to its current location (on railway tracks, no less!) in 1993. The apartment side was added on ten years ago and is designed for longer stays. The Museum Hotel is filled with contemporary art, all owned by previous hotelier, Chris Parkin, who also designed each room. No detail is spared and you never know who you’ll rub shoulders with at this design-focused hotel. Upon checking in, we received local chocolate and coffee soda from Wellington’s own, Six Barrel Soda Co. We stayed in a spacious apartment adorned with gold-foil palm-tree wallpaper. How dreamy! Make sure to head upstairs to the Hippopotamus Restaurant and Bar and have the bartender create a handcrafted cocktail. I felt like Daisy Buchanan.

Located next to Museum Art Hotel is Te Papa. You simply cannot visit Wellington without a trip to the national museum. On at the moment is the Gallipoli Exhibition. As a Canadian expat, I wasn’t fully aware of New Zealand’s significant role in the battle of Gallipoli during WWI, but found the exhibition incredibly educational and moving. Be sure to check it out when you’re in Wellington next.

Shopping:

Shopping in Wellington is such an enjoyable experience with shops located within walking distance of each other. Visit the Old Bank Arcade for its opulent interior and check out I Love Paris, Ricochet and Ruby. Other favourites include:

Twenty Seven Names remains a must-visit for its minimalism and gallery interior approach.

Good As Gold, the name says it all with both local labels and international designers that are hard to find elsewhere in New Zealand.

Madame Fancy Pants is wonderful gift shop filled with cards, jewellery, even t-shirts by Toronto designer, Stay Home Club. A piece of home that always makes me smile.

Arty Bees has an extensive collection of used books. It’s an excellent place to spend a rainy afternoon.

Food and Drink

Customs Brew Bar: Try the doughnuts by Little Dough Co. at this sunny café on Ghunzee. The coffee is Supreme, the service is excellent, and the sun streams in.

Field and Green: Yummy breakfast options are served alongside quality coffee in this bright café.

Viva Mexico: Mexican food as it should be – cheap and simple. This hole in the wall authentic Mexican restaurant is what I’ve been missing since moving back to New Zealand.

Floriditas: This gorgeous café came recommended by a colleague and I was as impressed by the tiled floors and large windows as I was the fresh, inventive menu.

Gipsy Kitchen: This Strathmore café is a stone’s throw from The Roxy Theatre and Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop – all three are worth a visit.

Other faves:
Memphis Belle
Flight Hangar Coffee
Frank’s
Egmont Street Eatery
Tommy Millions for pizza and soft serve (!)

Entertainment:

Catch a film at Light House Cinema. The small cinema is hidden down an alleyway on Wigan Street. Instead of the usual uncomfortable seats, the theatres at Light House are decked out with couches and pillows. Order a coffee or a wine and settle in!

If you have a couple hours to spare, check out The Great War Memorial and Exhibition for a moving history lesson. Or, if the sun is shining, catch a ferry from the harbourfront to Days Bay. From there, grab a coffee, walk along the seafront to Eastbourne and check out an antique shop or two.

How would you spend an extended weekend in Wellington?

May 31, 2016
7 Things I Learnt at MBFWA
I caught the tail end of MBFWA (I’m too lazy to type out the whole name…) and MBFWE (Weekend Edition). For me, fashion weeks are a time to gain insight into the industry and take notes from top bloggers and creatives. And so, I thought I would share some of the things I’ve learnt in Sydney this week(end).
1. Be nice. Australians are a friendly bunch and it’s refreshing to see photographers and media helping each other out rather than being overly competitive with one another. That said, the media riser can be chaotic.
2. Successful blogging, vlogging, YouTubing, etc. is hard work and it can take years of consistent, quality content to gain a real following.
3. On that note, consistency is key. If you follow me on any social media, you’ll know I struggle with this one. Food, fashion, landscape, I want to do it all.
4. Collaborate often with creatives you admire. It’s a fun way to create new content and support one another. Everybody wins.
5. Fashion week can be accessible and authentic. I like that Sydney included a fashion weekend as part of their event. Fashion weeks, by definition, are pretty exclusive, but there’s no reason why we can’t all get involved and appreciate the creativity that’s poured into each event.
6. Rather than trying to attend every single show, reach out to designers you admire and get tickets to their shows. Often times, these are off-site and much smaller.
7. Be confident. It’s natural to feel a little insecure when you’re surrounded by gorgeous models and journalists from The New York Times and Vogue Australia, but remember you’re here for a reason. Enjoy yourself and make real connections.
That’s all for today, folks. Next up, I’ll be sharing my favourite trends from the runways to the streets.
May 21, 2016
See you in Sydney

This week is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney, one of the most magical fashion events in the Southern Hemisphere. While I can’t sneak away to Oz until Friday, they’ve extended the event to include weekend shows, talks and events. Pretty cool, right? My friend Robyn of Anywhere I Roam arrived in Sydney yesterday and will be taking photos all week. Follow her on Instagram if you’re interested in seeing what the week has in store!

I’ll be joining Robyn on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a few runway shows, but I’m also ridiculously excited about the Blogger High Tea. Tiny sandwiches in a beautiful setting? Sign me up!

From stalking Bella Hadid (just kidding…) to trying to fit in visits to all my favourite Sydney spots, follow me on Snapchat to see what I get up to! I’m currently in the midst of a packing frenzy and looking forward to wearing a few of my favourite Australian and New Zealand brands.

See you soon, Sydney!

May 15, 2016
Time to Celebrate

Despite what seems like perpetual darkness, (sun, where have you gone?) May has been a dreamy month so far. On top of starting a new job and taking on some exciting blog/side projects, I’ve now been granted New Zealand residency. Believe me, it didn’t come without several hiccups along the way.

With so much happening, I rely on my watch more than ever. I don’t know about you, but using my phone to check the time doesn’t cut it. I prefer wearing a watch most days of the week, not only to give my eyes a rest, but also to tie my outfits together. I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, but a watch never feels too dainty.

When JORD approached me about their new line of wood watches, I couldn’t resist having a look. The Fieldcrest range focuses on simple watches in neutral shades. I’m a big fan of neutrals and the blond wood piece, Maple really spoke to me. I love that it works so well with my wardrobe regardless of whether I’m wearing black, white or colour. While I tend to gravitate towards leather straps, the wood is surprisingly comfortable and I’d choose it over a gold or silver band any day!

Enter to win a voucher for your own JORD watch. Everyone who enters will receive $20 off their purchase.

May 10, 2016
Beyond the Rubble

In Toronto, I was all about finding interesting walls, often returning to Graffiti Alley for inspiration. Street art in Christchurch has become somewhat of a symbol and has come to represent the city in more ways than anyone could’ve ever imagined. Constantly changing, I’m delighted whenever a new piece or installation crops up. As an integral part of the rebuild, local and international artists have been commissioned by the city to create works to beautify the rubble and bring people back to the central city.

When I first came across this pink and orange spray painted wall, I knew I’d have to return for a wee outfit shoot. Spanning an entire parking lot on Manchester Street, I’m drawn to this wall primarily because it features my childhood favourite colours and I love how multi-tonal it is.

If these walls could talk…

May 6, 2016
My Sunday Routine

Now that I’m fully immersed in my new job (!) I’m truly cherishing my weekends by slowing down. Filling my days with good food, conversation and books has always been important to my wellbeing, but increasingly so as I get older.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve experienced the Sunday Blues – you know that feeling of dread when you know your weekend’s coming to a close and you’ll have to wear pants for the following five days (which actually isn’t so bad after all!) In an attempt to combat the blues, I’ve structured my weekends in such a way that make them equal parts fun and relaxing. I’m quite ritualistic by nature and love reading and hearing about other people’s daily routines. I thought I’d share my routine with you and would love to hear yours as well!

7:00 am. While I usually try to sleep in on Sundays, my body clock is pre-programmed to waking up around 6:00 or 6:30.

7:30 am. After staying in bed for as long as possible (it’s Sunday after all), I try to get my body moving. I’ve been trialling different gyms, but on weekends I usually stick to 5-10km runs around my neighbourhood.

8:30 am. It’s time for coffee. My Sunday morning never feels complete without a cup of liquid gold. While drinking coffee, I scroll through Instagram and read the news on Twitter.

9:00 am. Nick and I check to see how many bookings we have for Radler Tours that day. Yesterday, we had six lovely locals join us for a tour.

9:30 am. By this point, I’m pretty hungry. I’ll either make eggs or avocado on toast or visit one of my favourite cafés or markets. If I’m at the market, I’ll pick up a fresh loaf of bread, some produce and cheese.

11:00 am. If the weather’s nice, I love spending a couple hours at the beach. In the colder months, I love perusing flower shops and flower markets. I used to work at a florist back in Saskatchewan and have always found inspiration in a beautiful bouquet.

1:00 pm. Time to kick off Radler Tours from Cathedral Square in Christchurch. Nick leads the tours and I take photos and videos to share on our website, social channels and sometimes for local publications.

4:00 pm. At this point, we’ve wrapped up tours for the day and we’re likely having a pint at our favourite local watering hole, Smash Palace. It’s one of the coolest bars I’ve ever been to.

5:30 pm. It’s time to think about dinner. We usually cook together as a flat and my flatmates are pretty amazing cooks. (I’m still working on it!)

7:30 pm. After dinner, it’s time to wind down. I like to settle in with a good book or magazine. Lately I’ve been loving Pablo Coelho’s The Alchemist. I often spend Sunday evenings painting my nails.

8:30 pm. By now, I’m likely curled up in bed with a hot cup of camomile tea. I usually turn in pretty early on Sunday evenings to mentally prepare myself for the week ahead.

April 24, 2016
What I’ll Be Wearing This Winter

Whether we want to admit it or not, winter is on its way here in Christchurch. And while I’m looking forward to hitting the slopes at Mt. Hutt, I’m even more excited to bundle up and actually wear 90% of my wardrobe. I love summer with all my heart, but appreciate the sartorial styles that emerge in colder climates. And so, I thought I’d share some of the AW ’16 trends I’m most fond of.

Burgundy
At Zambesi, we saw a lot of burgundy; burgundy with black, burgundy with grey and head-to-toe burgundy. This colour is so reminiscent of autumn and the changing of leaves. I love how it simultaneously looks macabre and sophisticated.

Calf-length cardigans and white denim
Huffer epitomises street style, and I love how their collection seamlessly transitions from the city to the slopes. I can’t wait to layer calf-length cardigans over silk tops and white denim. Is it just me or is white denim even better in winter?

Leather
I try to get away with leather year-round, but especially in the winter. I’ve invested in a quality leather jacket, but I’m also a fan of this leather dress by Kate Sylvester. I love the way Kate paired it with a turtleneck for a more office-appropriate ensemble.

Pastels
As much as I love black, I am equally obsessed with light pink and lavender. You’ll notice it creeping into my wardrobe throughout the year, but especially in the winter when I live in my favourite pastel pink peacoat.

Neck ties
Neck ties (pictured above and below) have been around for awhile, but what better time to don one than during the cooler months? I love the variations seen in Carlson’s runway show at iD Fashion Week.

Many thanks to my friend, Robyn Wilson of Anywhere I Roam Photography for these runway images. While my photographs suffice for Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, I’m very grateful for her professional skills!

April 4, 2016