february clips

Kia ora! What a month. It feels like this year started at 100 and refuses to take its foot off the gas. I've been piling the pressure onto myself to keep on top of all the key issues, be a high performer at work and also invest heavily in my social life, a combination that means I've been in what I like to call dishwasher debt for weeks. There's plenty to be down about at the moment, but I really want this newsletter, and particularly the clips section, to be a place of positive vibes. So here are a couple of recommendations from the month that was. As always, please get in touch via email or Instagram any time if you have questions, suggestions or want to offer me money.

• Sam Low and Jean Teng are two of the smartest thinkers about food that we've got, and now they've started a podcast called Ate Ate Ate, bringing what I presume are fascinating conversations about the big issues that they have over coffee into our ears. The first episode is an intro to Sam and Jean, and it has me holding out for the the first "real" ep, coming soon.

• One of my good friends Leonard Powell put out an album this week called 'Slow Mover,' and it's a delightful listen. Leonard has a remarkable way with words, and the way he sings about car speed limits or his girlfriend's ears is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Get familiar on your streaming service of choice, and come to the release party show this Friday.

• There are two things that clipboard favourite brand Checks Downtown had never really done until this month: black clothing, and womenswear. Now, it's released both in quick succession. I've always wanted Checks to bring its sense of fun to colours that fit a bit more closely in my wardrobe, which is why I have both colours of this shirt in open tabs, and have been thinking about picking up these truly ginormous pants, too. Checks' take on "w'menswear" is also characteristically fun - although people of all genders have worn the brand since day dot, this cardigan and this skirt are a very cool statement from Jordan and co.

• Everyday Wine, long the best place to pick up a natural wine in person in the city, is moving online only. While that creates an issue for my on-a-whim K Road wine purchase habit, it means that EW's truly fantastic range of wine will be a bit cheaper, and available for same day shipping. Lose some, win some!

• A very insightful read from Blackbird Spyplane on dressing your age

• Editor of The Spinoff Mad Chapman has been writing some really biting columns since the new government came into office: this, on Chris Luxon's more-than-my-first-full-time-salary accommodation payment to live in the home he owns with no mortgage is just the latest example (I know that he did a U-turn on this).

• I've been doing the Wordle again, on the bus into work - it's a really nice way to kick off the day, and build in a bit of routine. Bonus points for an uber competitive group chat in the office, whānau or just a comparison at the end of the day.

• Charlotte Muru-Lanning has stepped into the big shoes of the aforementioned Jean Teng as food editor for Metro, and has taken the reins of its weekly food newsletter, now called Pot Luck. It's a must read for anyone that cares about food or the latest happenings in Tāmaki Makaurau, so probably anyone reading this newsletter right now.

• Can anyone sponsor me to pick up this perfect knit from Garbstore via Infinite Definite? A great conversation starter.

• Something I had surprisingly never done until very recently - the burgers at the White Lady are the perfect cap off to an evening hitting art gallery openings or late night shopping on K Road. Dare I say better than Baby G?!

That’s all for clipboard this time around, thanks for reading! I’ll be back here in your inbox sometime soon, and in the meantime you can follow me on Instagram or reply to this email to get in touch!