Good vibes

We’ve curated a hit list of everything to do, read, see and buy to promote positivity and foster fab feelings!

Watch this!

Blind Ambition is an uplifting documentary film and true story about four unlikely sommeliers from Zimbabwe. The four refugees – Tinashe, Pardon, Joseph and Marlvin – not only conquer the odds to become South Africa’s top sommeliers, they also form Zimbabwe’s first ever wine-tasting team to compete at the World Wine Blind Tasting Championships in Burgundy, France. In cinemas now.

STAN WALKER CONTINUES TO INSPIRE

We love that HarperCollins has published a young readers’ edition of Stan Walker’s bestselling biography, Impossible. The abridged edition, for readers aged 10+, tells Walker’s story of resilience, love of his culture and his understanding that success doesn’t just happen but requires work and dedication. Walker’s success in becoming one of Aotearoa’s most famous singers is proof that the impossible is possible. Walker has also just released an empowering fragrance, “Human”, with Jakob Carter. The eau de toilette is designed and made in New Zealand and its bold scent is inspired by mental health conversations between friends. The fragrance is made for anyone and everyone, bringing together notes that lift and awaken your “HUMANinty” – in wearing it, you’ll feel a sense of light.

Buy one, give one

Sharing warmth throughout Aotearoa one blanket at a time, CommonKind is a new social enterprise we wanted to shout out about.

With every purchase of a CommonKind NZ-made wool blanket, one is also gifted to a child in Aotearoa through community organisations using the buy one, give one model. CommonKind co-founder Kelly Olatunji says they aim to share the joy of bright and warm woollen products to those who cannot easily access them, with a focus on dignity and choice.” commonkind.nz

Bringing outside into the office

Auckland law firm MC has brought the Waitākere Ranges indoors, while also achieving WELL certification and a 6 Green Star rating thanks to the green fingers and innovation of Kiwi plantscaping business Outside In. Integrating the workspace with a taste of the Waitākere ranges has helped overall staff wellbeing, says MC CEO Kylie Mooney. “We have an extremely hardworking team who are often involved in intense legal work, so putting their mental health and wellbeing first by creating a calm and rejuvenating working environment is one of the best investments we made in our new MC Centre,” she says. The project also recently won the overall Diamond Award for Best in Show at the 2022 International Plantscaping Awards.

Connecting piece by piece

Founders of PieceHouse Puzzles, Rewa Walters and Sophie Morrison, have a mission to cultivate mindfulness by bringing people together for meaningful moments and encouraging an activity that isn’t on a screen. Their PieceHouse puzzles feature uplifting artworks by emerging and established New Zealand artists and $1 from each puzzle purchased is donated to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.

To be in to win a PieceHouse ‘Golden Hour’ puzzle by illustrator Kelly Spencer, turn to page 111. Spencer has a passion for travel and sunshine and likes to promote conservation of our natural environment through her work. piecehouse.co.nz BOOKS ARE FOR EVERYONE

Independent online bookstore Alphabet Book Club is selling books and products with positive LGBTQIA+ representation. The team – pictured from left, Theresa Adams, Chelsea Adams and Ruth Evans – believe books are for everyone and Kiwis should be able to see themselves represented in books without paying for excessive shipping. Its community is made up of book lovers and people from, by and for the rainbow community. And with every book purchased, a portion is donated to non-profit groups that are looking after queer, trans, intersex and takatāpui people. Its primary focus is young adult, middle reader and children’s books though they also stock adult and non-fiction titles.

Book master Chelsea reads every title and can answer any queries about appropriateness and reading ages. alphabetbookclub.nz