Auckland Wrap Up

On approach to the land of the 'cotton wool' clouds (Australia)

I'm now back in Sydney where the coffee is better and the temperature, surprisingly, just a little bit colder than Auckland. Sydneysiders, me included, don't shop for the cold. The result - some less than attractive specimens walking the streets today dressed in an assorted collection of shapes, colours and styles. Some managed to pull the 'snug as a bug in a rug' look off while others missed the connection and got horribly lost in the translation.

NZ Fashion
Aucklanders' dress casually, and comfortably for winter. The pure wool clothing available is of a high standard, and NZ's designers are known for their use of good quality fabrics, and their high standard of construction.
There was nothing exciting to be seen in boutiques as most of the shops were displaying 'sale' windows.
A few hints of what's to come for summer.....colourfully patterned fabrics, reminiscent of the swinging 60's. Fine if your figure can take bold patterns, but not much fun for those who prefer to dress plain and accessorise with jewellery, pattern and texture. This heavily patterned long summer dress is a sneak preview of what's to come. You should wear minimum, if any, jewellery with this look.

Also promising/threatening to make a comeback is the 'bubble' skirt. It wasn't attractive the first time round so let's hope it's a fizzer this summer to. I spied it in a Sydney window today.

Three beautiful things that caught my eye

Lladro figurine

Potted Cyclamens

Bright shining beads feature in an interesting reflection

NZ Food 
It was impossible to find a good soy cappuccino in Auckland. Finally I scored one at the Airport before I left. If it's coffee you're after, before you fly out head for the cafe upstairs on the terminal side before going through immigration.
One absolute winner in the food stakes  - a home cooked meal of  pan fried snapper fillets ($NZ14.50 for three) with a tomato, black olive and caper sauce, served with mashed kumera and a simple green salad. All good fish shops sell snapper fillets. I bought mine in Glen Innes.
If it's double bliss that you're after pick up a dozen Bluff Oysters for starters.