What Jodie Reads

A quirky 1950s' caravan called Ngaire steals the show in the latest NZ Life & Leisure    (Jan/Feb 2011 $9.70).  The 1955 Starliner has been lovingly restored by her owners Mike & Victoria and in it, they talk of the adventures they've taken her on since finding her on Trade Me 4 years ago.  It's the perfect story to put in their summer issue with the tag line 'Away from it all'.  Editor Kate Coughlan and her team have pulled out all the stops to feature people in tune with their holiday environments and to identify holidays and homes that nourish the family without the need for heart-stopping mortgages.  There's the cottage by the river: a cleverly designed 'close up and tow away' cottage on the banks of the Waihopai River in Marlborough.  A yurt in the bush: glamping it up in Raglan - a unique way to get away from it all amongst a stand of huge nikau palms and centuries-old rimu and tawa. ...

I thought I'd start the new year off with some "good" resolutions, so I picked up the latest issue of this carbon neutral magazine.  It's made in New Zealand and it's masthead states "simple choices for a better life".  Sounds like a GOOD way to start the new year I say..... Good (Dec 2010/Jan 2011 $7.90) celebrates it's relaunch with a specially wrapped issue and bonus gift (the 'good shopping handbook' valued at $4.95).  New editor Sarah Heeringa says  “for me, the good life is about creating a healthy home environment, eating well and buying quality.  It's also about making jam, growing veggies and teaching our kids to be smart with the resources around us - and enjoying more of life's significant moments."    Opening this issue was one such significant moment.  The switch to luxurious, eco-offset paper matches the eco-fabulous vibe of the mag and thanks to the vintage style of Art Director Sally Fullam, the re-design/mak...