Cool Cars - 36

One White Lincoln Continental Mark IV - Spotted in Los Angeles, USA by my LA-resident brother and friendly Cool Cars Spotter, Murray Macy, who braved LA traffic to corner this monster. We think he did well under pressure and we're looking forward to more Cool Cars from California soon.

A Whirlwind Road Trip

Main Street, Alexandra, Central Otago. Feb 2009. Ajr

I’ve just completed a hurricane-speed circuit of almost three-quarters of the South Island in just 43 hours. Setting off at 3am on Wednesday, we travelled from Christchurch to Dunedin to Gore, where we worked for the day. Then, after packing up the car, we then drove from Gore to Tapanui and on to the Central Otago towns of Alexandra, Roxburgh and Cromwell and on to Wanaka, through the Haast Pass to Haast itself in South Westland, where sleep was the only thing on my mind. We packed up next morning and drove an hour to Bruce Bay, worked all day and then packed the car again and drove up the West Coast through Ross, Hokitika, Kumara and then across Arthur’s Pass and back home to Christchurch – a total of 17 hours in the car! I managed to snap around 400 photographs in that time and while I haven’t sorted them yet, here’s a little visual gem from Alexandra….. the town pie cart (complete with tractor and selling Marlow’s Pies), decorated (rather stridently) with an image of the town’s old bridge.

Cafe Quirks

Joe's Garage, Christchurch. Jan. 2009. Ajr

I like a cafe that creates an individual character and in our highly competitive cafe market, that can mean the difference between good visitor numbers and bad - as long as the actual coffee and service are up to scratch of course. That's why I like Joe's Garage. They've gone the Tonka way...... with a fleet of little lorries and cars 'motoring about' the cafe tables and shelves as if its the most natural thing in the world. And naturally there's also a large toy box filled with cars and trucks for kids. www.joes.co.nz

Small Moments of Greed

Making a Porker

Of Myself

At Joe's Garage

The Happiest of Birthdays!!

Today is my blog’s first birthday and I feel bound to celebrate with cake!

Or I would if I wasn’t away travelling for a couple of days. I would be scoffing large slices of this! I’ve been amazed – and very grateful – for all the support I’ve had from everyone since I set up this blog on February 12, 2008. Many of you have sent me fabulous material and photographs and helped make my blog pretty and interesting; others have put links on their own websites…....You know who you are..... I love it all.

Now, in a fit of irrational enthusiasm I have set up a second blog – Introducing Maori Lifestyles – which some of you have already discovered. I hope you’ll check it out..…and remember, you can now readily link from Adrienne Rewi Online to Introducing Maori Lifestyles simply by clicking on the top right image on each blog. You can dance back and forth to your heart's content.

Hedge Architecture

Hedges, Waikuku Beach. Jan. 2009. Ajr

I've shown you plenty of my favourite hedges - just click on Hedges in the label line below if you need to refresh your memory - but now I'm doing 'the inside job' - unveiling the cross-beams, the architectural support system. I've always admired the bulk and heft of a good strong hedge - their almost animate qualities, the tightness of their weave - and when you peek inside a hedge you see all the inner workings that make that possible - the tangle of branches and twigs that have knitted in and out and over and around to create the framework for that green spongy cushion we see on the outside. When I was a child growing up in the Waikato, I loved to make huts inside hedges; now, as much as I admire the inner workings, the thought of getting in there with all those bugs and beetles gives me the creeps.

Meet the People - 36

Photograph by Stephen Goodenough

Another in the Series Meet the People – Ordinary and Extraordinary New Zealanders Doing Interesting Things – Make-up artist, Kristen Stewart has just opened KSSM, Kristen Stewart School of Make-up in central Christchurch. Operating from sleek new premises “completely different to anything else out there,” Kristen is fulfilling her long-held passion for make-up, fashion and photography. It was when she was training as a photographer in fact, that she first became interested in make-up as a career option. A stint in the modelling agency, Exposure highlighted her interest, so she taught herself the basics and then set off to London to study at the Glauca Rossi School of Make-up. “I’ve always loved working on fashion shoots and fashion shows,” she says. While abroad she worked on the prestigious London Fashion Week and since she’s been back in New Zealand there have been numerous photographic stints plus work for almost every major magazine in the country, film work and every New Zealand Fashion Week to date.

Photographs by Stephen Goodenough Opening her own make-up school is the culmination of all her passions and she’s confident her students will get a solid grounding in all the key principles of make-up design, enabling them to embark on their own successful careers in the industry. “I love my new premises – they’re beautiful – very boutique-like yet still with a school feel. I want women to come in here and love where they are and enjoy getting taught what they want to know. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time and it’s exceeded my expectations," she says. www.kristenstewart.co.nz

In the Black

"Coral/Floral" by David Trubridge. Napier 2008. Ajr

Just by way of a change, let me introduce David Trubridge's wildly popular lighting design, "Coral/Floral" in black. I photographed this last year in David's hometown, Napier. You don't often see it in black so of course I HAD to snap it. For others in this series click on David Trubridge in the label line below. www.davidtrubridge.com

StreetscapeNZ - 15

The Waterfront

Ahuriri, Napier

For others views of New Zealand streets, click on StreetscapeNZ in the label line below this post.

Small Moments of Greed

Miniature Cupcakes

In the Pink

Made By Buttercups Christchurch

In the Pink

Minx, SOL, Christchurch. Feb.2009. Ajr

What was one of my favourite restaurants (primarily for its zany, creative décor) has re-invented itself. Minx Dining Room and Bar seems to have become just Minx Bar – and it’s also become very very PINK! Located in SOL off Lichfield Street, they now also claim to serve “just pink drinks.” I took these shots last Saturday morning; I think it looks better at night – when all the pink becomes even PINKER!

Tunnel Vision

Just in Case You've Ever Wondered....

This is what my camera sees

When I drive through

Lyttelton Tunnel

Tropical Paradise

Navutu Stars Resort, Yasawa Islands, Fiji. Images supplied by Navigate Oceania.

Have you ever dreamed about owning your own tropical paradise – or even just visiting one for that matter? London-based Italians, Maddalena Giovanna Morandi and Manfredi De Lucia did and now they own the very beautiful Navutu Stars Resort in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands. This ultimate, eco-luxury tropical island sanctuary with three pristine white beaches, energy-autonomous living with solar power, organic gardens and fresh spring water from natural bores, is now a member of Auckland-based Navigate Oceania – a gorgeous collection of 27 member properties throughout New Zealand and Fiji. I don’t know about you but with winter only a sneeze away, I rather fancy the idea of hiding away in one of Navutu’s nine gorgeous bure (grass huts). I can think of no better way to while away the wintry hours than reading in a hammock under a coconut palm, snorkelling in crystal-clear turquoise waters, sipping cocktails beside the pool, being massaged with sweet-smelling tropical oils and generally tucking into anything that comes out of the Navutu restaurant – especially when it looks like the dish pictured above. It’s an indulgent idea. Sadly I can’t do it this winter as I’m writing a travel guide and motoring all over New Zealand. But is there really anything stopping you? If you’re still undecided, keep in mind that Conde Nast Traveler voted it among the Sexiest Resorts in the World. www.fijinavutustarsresort.com www.navigateoceania.com

I'm Stuffed

"I'm Stuffed" Graphics by Napier artist, Martin Poppelwell. 2008. Ajr This is one of my favourite cushions from the gorgeous Esther Diamond range. Started by Napier’s Sandi Reefman (meet her in my Meet the People series), Esther Diamond has been a raging success. You should definitely check out the great Esther Diamond website and one of their major stockists is leading Auckland design store, Eon, which has a great online shopping facility. www.eon.co.nz www.estherdiamond.com

Something Suitably Sunday-ish

Christchurch Cathedral. Feb 2009. Ajr

I couldn't resist a shot of all these verticals and horizontals around the spire of Christchurch Cathedral. There's lots of inner city crane activity at the moment so I'm happier than a pig in mud. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

Back Alley Business

SOL, Christchurch. Feb 2009 Ajr

This is one of my favourite poster walls. I re-visit it frequently for an ever-changing display of colourful poster graphics. LOVE IT! www.sol.net.nz

The Collectors - 9

Coffee bag collection. Feb 2009. Ajr

Here's a different perspective on collecting - someone (in the coffee industry) who collects coffee bean bags. This collection started when the owner visited Seattle on a coffee trip and it grew even more when she visited Hawaii. Now the wall is 'coloured' bags from all over.

French Corner

SOL, Christchurch. Feb 2009 Ajr

The Champagne Bar

in SOL www.sol.net.nz

StreetscapeNZ - 14

Ponsonby Road

Auckland

Rolled Rugs

Chaos Antiques, Christchurch. Feb. 2009. Ajr

I loved the subtle rolled-up pinwheel-scone-like shapes and colours of these old (very rare) Feltex rugs outside Chaos on Manchester Street.