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This week we're looking at how the pandemic will affect our children and their resilience. The Sunday Star-Times wants to hear from children about how they've been impacted by Covid-19 and lockdown. Perhaps they've learned more about hand washing and germs, or maybe they want to talk… View moreThis week we're looking at how the pandemic will affect our children and their resilience. The Sunday Star-Times wants to hear from children about how they've been impacted by Covid-19 and lockdown. Perhaps they've learned more about hand washing and germs, or maybe they want to talk about having mum or dad home more often, or learning from home. Kids can write a sentence or two to be included in print by emailing kelly.dennett@stuff.co.nz, by Friday, July 10, at 5pm. Their first names and ages may be used in print. Parents, if you're happy for your children to be photographed please let us know.
Keeping an indoor plant alive — let alone thriving — can be a daunting task. Thankfully, we have five tips to help keep your plants alive.
1. Potting and repotting
When potting a plant, choose a pot that has good drainage and always use a good quality potting mix. If you do have a pot … View moreKeeping an indoor plant alive — let alone thriving — can be a daunting task. Thankfully, we have five tips to help keep your plants alive.
1. Potting and repotting
When potting a plant, choose a pot that has good drainage and always use a good quality potting mix. If you do have a pot without drainage, you can pot it in a smaller plastic pot and pop it inside.
When repotting, pick a pot that’s one size bigger than the one you have, place some firmly packed potting mix in the bottom and a small sprinkle of plant fertiliser. Give the plant a good water and gently tip the pot on its side and ease out the plant, place it in the new pot and gently fill with potting mix, press down soil and keep filling until you are about 2-4cm from the top of the pot.
2. Light
Most plants like bright indirect sunlight. Plants get their nourishment and energy from the sun so don’t be shy about placing them in bright sunlight. As the seasons change, watch the light levels and move plants closer or further away from windows. Some plants can survive in very dim light but give them a bright light holiday one day a week. Pale foliage is a sign that your plant might not be getting enough light and brown patches on leaves can mean the plant is getting singed.
3. Water
One of the most common reasons indoor plants die is overwatering. The majority of plants need to be watered once a week. Once a month place them in a sink or bucket and drench the soil and roots, then let the water drain out well before placing them back in their spots. There are a few plants that like more water, such as peace lilies, and some that like less, including ZZ plants and snake plants.
4. Humidity
Lots of indoor plants, and the majority of what we sell, originate from sub-tropical rainforest-type climates. They love a light misting daily or you can sit them in the bathroom while you take a shower.
5. Choosing plants
Pick the right plant for you and your lifestyle. If you are new to house plants, start with an easy-care plant such as a succulent or cactus, then you can graduate to other types. If you go away a lot choose a plant that can survive without attention. If you live in the city you might want to think about plants that have super air cleansing powers. The whole process of choosing plants and their weekly routine can be quite meditative. Enjoy the watering rituals you create — it’s a good chance to practise your mindfulness. Just remember once you start it’s hard to stop!
If you love fermented foods and you are looking for effective ways to improve your gut health, then this workshop is definitely for you.
Join me on the 15th August at the Karori Community Centre to learn about fermentation and how to make this wonder foods. There's only a few spaces left!… View moreIf you love fermented foods and you are looking for effective ways to improve your gut health, then this workshop is definitely for you.
Join me on the 15th August at the Karori Community Centre to learn about fermentation and how to make this wonder foods. There's only a few spaces left!
Full details and bookings here -> bestkepthealth.co...
Hey neighbours, have you had a DIY disaster you need to fix or are you keen to tackle some home improvements but don't know where to start? Well, help is at hand.
Send us your questions about your DIY or decorating dilemmas, including photos if you can, and we'll ask an expert for their… View moreHey neighbours, have you had a DIY disaster you need to fix or are you keen to tackle some home improvements but don't know where to start? Well, help is at hand.
Send us your questions about your DIY or decorating dilemmas, including photos if you can, and we'll ask an expert for their advice on where to start with your project, any tips and tricks they can share to help you get a great finish - or how you can fix things up if they've already gone wrong! Click here to submit your questions, or email us at homed@stuff.co.nz.
Greytown is putting the sparkle into Winter 2020 - looking pretty with gorgeous shop windows, tasty menus and fun things to do as they host this new month long festival. Each evening at 5.15pm a light show plays on the lovely old buildings. This Friday and Saturday Martin Bosley and Pinocchio … View moreGreytown is putting the sparkle into Winter 2020 - looking pretty with gorgeous shop windows, tasty menus and fun things to do as they host this new month long festival. Each evening at 5.15pm a light show plays on the lovely old buildings. This Friday and Saturday Martin Bosley and Pinocchio Greytown present the Yellow Brick Road Oyster Saloon. From 5pm wrap up nice and cosy and order delicious, freshly shucked oysters under the warmth of the outdoor heaters.
Just one of the many Christmas treats.
Need a break? Live more with less energy. Explore our NZ paradise, and enjoy a low-carbon holiday.
Hi there, can anyone recommend a good professional roof cleaner who does roof treatment like moss and lichen in Kelburn area? Thanks in advance.
The final stage of the repair to the Mt Albert tunnel and sludge lines involves repairing the floor of the tunnel. As part of this, on Thursday night a crew will be entering the tunnel to perform a visual inspection.
As the tunnel is an active wastewater pipe, we’ll hold wastewater flows at the … View moreThe final stage of the repair to the Mt Albert tunnel and sludge lines involves repairing the floor of the tunnel. As part of this, on Thursday night a crew will be entering the tunnel to perform a visual inspection.
As the tunnel is an active wastewater pipe, we’ll hold wastewater flows at the pump station while the inspection is carried out. We’re scheduling the entry at night when wastewater flows are at a minimum, thereby maximising the amount of time our crews can spend in the tunnel. The plan is for the crew to spend 40 minutes in the tunnel, while based on normal operations we have capacity at the pump station to hold the wastewater flows for up to an hour. In the very unlikely event that the crew has to spend more than an hour in the tunnel, some screened wastewater may need to be discharged from the pump station into the Cook Strait. All possible steps will be taken to prevent this, however it is important to note that this inbound wastewater is made up of 99% water, and is therefore very different to the dewatered sludge that was transported during the earlier stage of repairs. Generators onsite may create some noise, however there will be no construction undertaken during this entry. We will monitor odour and use misters if necessary.
Hi neighbours!
Do you know of a story around your neighbourhood that hasn't hit the front-page yet? Is there someone in your suburb who really embodies the Neighbourly spirit and deserves for their story to be told? Maybe it’s a local hero who's remained humble. Even if it's … View moreHi neighbours!
Do you know of a story around your neighbourhood that hasn't hit the front-page yet? Is there someone in your suburb who really embodies the Neighbourly spirit and deserves for their story to be told? Maybe it’s a local hero who's remained humble. Even if it's anything that you think the nation needs to know, comment on our post below!
Most of us like to think we're doing what we can to lessen our impact on the environment, but how green is your weekly shop?
Beyond the eco-swaps you’ve probably already made, here are some of … View moreMost of us like to think we're doing what we can to lessen our impact on the environment, but how green is your weekly shop?
Beyond the eco-swaps you’ve probably already made, here are some of the least eco-friendly grocery store items to steer clear of next time you're loading up your trolley, with minimal disruption to your routine.
Keen to support your community and whānau?
Enjoy diverse and challenging work?
Are you a recent graduate or about to graduate?
It’s a time of unprecedented change with Covid-19 so we are looking for graduates from all degree backgrounds who truly want to make a difference to New … View moreKeen to support your community and whānau?
Enjoy diverse and challenging work?
Are you a recent graduate or about to graduate?
It’s a time of unprecedented change with Covid-19 so we are looking for graduates from all degree backgrounds who truly want to make a difference to New Zealand and New Zealanders.
The GovTechTalent graduate programme in Wellington gives you the opportunity to change things for the better, while also shaping your own career path so don’t get left behind - apply for GovTechTalent today!
From global influences to home-made comfort, see the hot trends in home textiles.
Going Global
We may not be able to hop on an airplane any time soon to explore the world but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring home a taste of the exotic – and hang it on the windows or wrap it around our … View moreFrom global influences to home-made comfort, see the hot trends in home textiles.
Going Global
We may not be able to hop on an airplane any time soon to explore the world but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring home a taste of the exotic – and hang it on the windows or wrap it around our sofas.
Global influences in home textiles are varied with two or three strong looks emerging. One is the traditional block print where basic geometric prints in robust colours are placed onto highly textured base cloth to create an antiqued effect.
There is a tribal nature to these designs echoing patterning from Africa and South America. Turkish influences are also appearing with ottoman-style motifs in faded and antiqued looking colourways.
Says Annie Moir from Mokum: “We see design influences from Asia, the Middle East and Africa working together for cultural fluidity and a celebration of the world’s global heritage. This includes a fresh take on Japan’s rich and sophisticated decorative history.”
Hannah Irvine from Warwick Fabrics says that global influences have always been to the fore, but now more than ever when travel is not possible.
“Our collections in the second half of 2020 draw from traditional Moroccan and Middle Eastern patterns. These textiles are easily layered, encompass rich opulent textures and use warmer tones with solid contrasts. These combinations make for an extremely rich, layered interior.”
Jacqui McKenzie from Harvey Furnishings notes the crossover between the global and handcrafted trends, with handcrafted fabric textures like weaves, embroideries and cut-velvets in colour palettes inspired by traditional Indian dyes and spices: “These bring a global appreciation of traditional craftsmanship, while celebrating diversity.”
Quirky retro
It’s taken over our fashion, and the 1970s retro look continues in our interiors with a resurgence of curvaceous furniture, arches in architecture and bold retro textiles in statement prints.
Alongside this comes a 1950s Hollywood glamour vibe. Says Hannah Irvine of Warwick Fabrics: “We’re calling the trend ‘rewind’. This theme has evolved from last year’s mid-century modern trends. We are seeing lots of 1920s influence in the patterns and palette of yesteryears designs.
“The colours driving rewind include earthy warm browns, tan, ochre and mustard with teal-tinged blues and navy hues to offer a touch of contrast. Materials and texture playing their part in taking us to this theme include leather, suede, velvet, soft-touch chenille, warp knits, corduroy and boucle.”
Says Bolt of Cloth’s Suzannah Tonascia: “Just like fashion, interior trends are cyclic and inspired by other eras – we have been wearing a lot of 70s-inspired clothes and seeing those influences coming into our homes was always likely to follow. People like patterns and fabrics to make them feel good in their homes and the 70s was a really great carefree time – who wouldn’t want a bit of that rubbing off on your life today?”
Suzannah encourages us to have fun with the look: “My favourite use is as a roman blind. You don’t see much of the print when they are open during the day, but drop it down in the evening and it is like a piece of art – amazing.”
Handcrafted & homely
As we seek to return to simpler times, there’s a revival of traditional craft not only in personally making the craft but the influence on home interiors and textile constructions where natural material and traditional techniques are lovingly reinterpreted.
Replications of needlework, cross stitch, crochet and knitting are appearing. Fabrics are also folded and crushed to look handcrafted and irregular. Imperfection is encouraged.
According to Rhea Culliford of James Dunlop Textiles, this trend interconnects with two others, global and textural, with homespun-style fabrics, traditional textile techniques and colour palettes inspired from natural dyes.
Jessica Fitzgibbon of The Textile Company points to the reasoning behind the Invicta collection: “There’s a search for raw expression and valuable heritage. It’s a reflection of art and human science, preserved and enriched by resilient artists, people of other ages and different backgrounds, reuniting the knowledge and crafts of the past with skills of the future.”
Keep reading: www.stuff.co.nz...
The Winter edition of Te Kaitiaki Wai, Wellington Water's magazine, is now available! 📖
This edition features articles on a virtual diving gateway into Wellington’s marine reserve, intermediate students from Cannon’s Creek saving a local waterway, water sniffer dogs, and other good work… View moreThe Winter edition of Te Kaitiaki Wai, Wellington Water's magazine, is now available! 📖
This edition features articles on a virtual diving gateway into Wellington’s marine reserve, intermediate students from Cannon’s Creek saving a local waterway, water sniffer dogs, and other good work people are doing around the water industry and in the community.
Happy reading!
Today marks the first day of Plastic Free July - a global movement to reduce plastic pollution.
Everyone is encouraged to get involved, even if it's just making a few small changes to your purchases or routine. It's not about a handful of people doing plastic-free perfectly, it's … View moreToday marks the first day of Plastic Free July - a global movement to reduce plastic pollution.
Everyone is encouraged to get involved, even if it's just making a few small changes to your purchases or routine. It's not about a handful of people doing plastic-free perfectly, it's about millions of people around the world doing it imperfectly - and it works!
Will you be joining the challenge this month?
Head to our website for more information: wellington.govt.nz...
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