a prairie girl who collects passport stamps.
If you've ever met Nick, you'll know he's always wanted to buy a boat. In fact, the only item he's ever saved to his TradeMe watchlist is a yacht. He's been part of sailing clubs in both Toronto and Christchurch, so I suppose it's more than just a phase... To be fair, I'm also partial [...]
In just over month, we'll be boarding our flight back to Canada after 4.5 years in Christchurch. So now is as good a time as any to reflect on our time here in the Garden City and make my case for the underdog, ill-represented city. A large portion of my audience is based overseas, so [...]
Supporting the arts is important in any community. In a city that's rebuilding and finding its feet again, it's essential. Christchurch lost so many buildings in the earthquakes and having Isaac Theatre Royal as our home for the performing arts is truly a treasure. Every time I set foot inside this beautifully restored building, I [...]
In just a couple weeks, I'll be hosting my very first event: a long lunch with two of my favourite local businesses. Food, Wine & Life Online is a chance to meet likeminded folk who cherish good food, organic wine and conversation. The idea to host a gathering came about while scrolling through Instagram (typical). [...]
About a year and a half ago, Nick and I co-wrote an article about what makes a great city. We talked a lot about how great cities are constantly reinventing themselves; they manage to tell a story about their past, but know where they are heading in the future. This statement couldn't be more true [...]
In a city that's slowly rebuilding, Little High Eatery came out of the blue. Tucked behind the Mackenzie & Willis building on Tuam Street, across from C1 Espresso, lives a brand new food court. This isn't your run-of-the-mill suburban shopping mall food court, it's an exercise in excellent urban planning. Little High makes excellent use of [...]
Having visited Queenstown a handful of times, I still marvel at the drive down from Christchurch. The Canterbury plains swiftly disappear to reveal rolling hills and turquoise, azure lakes. With so many changes in scenery, the drive never becomes stagnant. Many a tourist flies into Christchurch from the North Island, ready to journey south. And so, why [...]
Working in Christchurch's CBD, I've kept a close watch on all the cafés and restaurant openings over the past six months. And it seems there's a new spot open every other week. As a frequent café-goer, I've relished in all these new dining opportunities. Oddly enough, I didn't notice the new roastery on St. Asaph Street [...]
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Ballantynes Fashion Week's opening show. Held in the Contemporary Lounge, the evening began with bubbles, canapés and live music. For those of you who don't know, Ballantynes is Christchurch's oldest and most iconic department store. The company remains a mainstay in New Zealand's fashion scene due to its wide range [...]
One of the things I harp on about constantly is cycling. I've never particularly enjoyed cycling as a sport or a rigorous form of exercise. For me, it's a practical way to get around. In cities like Toronto and Stockholm, residents cycle almost year-round. Even a little bit of snow on the ground isn't much of a [...]
prairie girl musings 