Our Life

In this weeks water cooler, we dream of flying through the jungle and high-fashion couture, make coconut yoghurt and test restaurants with unpronounceable names.

He wanted a race car, she wanted a comfortable ride, turns out the 1974 Ford Capri was the car they didn't know they always wanted.

In the water cooler this week:  Miranda discovers a super product, Nadene gets worms,  Cheree becomes hot and steamy and Anna cracks the mystery gadget.

Jenny Drury is finding success with fashion label Ketz-ke by focussing on wholesale and supporting New Zealand retailers.

Reviewer Miranda Spary is gripped by this cutting political tale.

This week in the water cooler: We all scream for ice- cream, go crazy over cats in the tube and Anna Tait-Jamieson plays guess the gadget.

This week in the water cooler: Rebecca discovers a cool walk for the kids - and we check in on Serita the lamb.

Fans of the wood-burning stove explain why they find an old-fashioned form of cooking far more satisfying than modern gadgetry.

The Off-Topic book Club raves about The Light Between Oceans, by M L Stedman.

What does it take to captain a rugby team through to win two successive World Cups? A new documentary tries to capture the man behind the hype

This week in the thisNZlife office: We're feeling inspired by a wee spring lamb, try some strange fruit and find hares in the garden.

In the first of a new series, Dr Libby tackles a problem head on.

Ned Hayes' novel The Eagle Tree is an honest depiction of autism, without heavy-handed sentimentality, writes Miranda Spary.

A bubbly soapmaker has turned her favourite hobby into a cottage industry on her Otago small block.

In this week's water cooler, we devour delicious bliss balls, sing along with Geoff Chapple, and give away tickets to an award-winning Christchurch play.

When was the last time you read a poem? Try something new for poetry day Friday (26 August). You might get to pat a puppy...

The wind-up to spring planting is starting, and one big decision is going to have year-long repercussions.

This week in the water cooler, we savour the new season grapefruit, say hello to Talking Tom and make the best crackers EVER

The Screen Sirens discuss why you should binge-watch the Lightbox drama UnREAL.

This shipping container uses every square inch to nurture the future of country kids, and the adults too.

Farm trips for the kids, a movie that made our heart sing and yet more dogs... things that got us talking in the thisNZlife office this week.

This week in the water cooler: we sing the praises of the refugee Olympic team, discover a historic gem in Whanganui and have a light bulb moment.

This week in the water cooler: we make new discoveries on Netflix, search for the perfect umbrella tree and plan survival strategies for The Food Show

Book reviewer Miranda Spary sees the world differently after reading The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent.

This week in the water cooler, we find an use for The NZ Herald, relive our calf club glory days and pay homage to a canine Frida Kahlo.

In this episode the book club lives up to its name - talking about everything from 50 Shades of Grey to sleeping in the same bed as James Bond while reviewing The Couple Next Door.

This neck gecko scarf is made from reflective wool and is a good project for beginner knitters.

Urban eco warrior Jessica Rose suggests some easy lifestyle changes to make for Plastic-Free July.

This week in the watercooler the thisNZlife team talks about tough nuts, big friendly giants and big friendly vegetables.

The Screen Sirens enter the ring for a Jane Austen rumble when reviewing this adaptation of the Austen novella Lady Susan.

With art in his arteries, Michael MacMillan maintains a family tradition in a valley of hops and hopefulness, his greatest supporter by his side.

Cheree Morrison puts pedal to the metal on the Highlands Motorsport Park course in Cromwell.

This week thisNZlife office we were talking about greyhound couture, cake culture, popcorn for breakfast.

The club were divided over My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante.