Here’s some of the exciting things we tried, saw and loved over the past two weeks!
Scented Candles and room sprays, Nevé
We were super-excited to receive a gift hamper of scented candles and room sprays from luxury brand Nevé (pronounced ‘nee-vei’). Nevé is the exquisite word used to describe the partially compacted granular snow that forms the surface at the upper end of a glacier and perfectly captures the idea of cosy nights with beautifully scented candles flickering in the background.
What started out as a part-time hobby for Vicki and Tess, a dynamic mother-daughter duo, has grown from humble beginnings in a Queenstown flat to a commercial space in Christchurch.
Dee: “Candles instantly transform a room and when they smell divine you instantly feel calm and relaxed. As it’s getting dark, I light my Nevé candle, switch off any lights and my hubbie and I chat about the day before sitting in comfortable silence enjoying the candle fragrance and ambience.
“I would recommend using long matches to light the wooden wick – I did need two to get it going at first. I am absolutely in love with the French Pear and Brown Sugar candle AND room spray. Just gorgeous!”
The Neve range of hand poured candles are made from 100% natural soy wax and the wood wicks sourced from sustainable timber mills in the US. The range is available in seven signature phthalate-free fragrances – Pink Peony + Prosecco, French Pear + Brown Sugar, Black Raspberry + Vanilla, Pomegranate + Juicy Mango, Kōwhai Blossom + Lime, Whiskey + Wood Smoke, and Wild Pine + Juniper Berry
Nevé has definitely found a spot in the affordable luxury brand niche and they’ve done it with integrity. They support sustainability by donating $1 from every order to ‘Trees that Count’, a charity that plants native trees throughout New Zealand.
They also have a candle refill concept which we love – all you do is clean out your used candle jar and pop in a new refill.
The Neve range can be found online and at numerous retailers around New Zealand. Prices start from $28.
Skin Shield SPF 30 Face Crème, Emma Lewisham
Over the past year we have been sent most of Emma Lewisham’s products and we have enjoyed using Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
The Skin Shield SPF 30 Face Crème combines sun and antioxidant protection with 9 high performing actives which provides a proven SPF30 formulation that improves the health and condition of your skin.
Apply fairly liberally to your skin every morning as the final step of your skincare routine and before applying your makeup. Gently warm the crème by rubbing it between your fingers so that it glides on smoothly and doesn’t leave any white residue on your skin. If you’re just enjoying a makeup free day and out in the sun, re-apply every 2 hours to maintain protection and, of course, reapply after perspiring or swimming.
Kerry: “I love this Skin Shield. I am fair-skinned and always cautious about spending too much time in the sun. The Crème doesn’t feel too heavy and my skin pores didn’t feel clogged which means I didn’t have any skin breakouts. That’s great news for me. I’m still very careful about going out in the sun but felt protected on my day-to-day outings.”
The Skin Shield crème is made without parabens, sulfates and alcohol. It is best paired with Emma Lewisham’s Skin Reset Eye Crème, Serum and Brighten Your Day Crème.
Emma Lewisham is available at all Mecca New Zealand Stores and online.
Pro Vitamin Co.
The launch of Pro Vitamin Co. to Chemist Warehouse stores nationwide has met with great success with the company already matching other vitamin gummy manufacturers after only 4 weeks on the market.
The range of 13 affordable, delicious and science-backed gummies includes Ashwagandha (for mental and physical stress support), Hyaluronic Acid (skin hydration support), Apple Cider Vinegar (digestion), Chamomile (sleep support) and Marine Collagen (skin rejuvenation). There are also four flavoured formulations for kids – Calcium Vitamin D & K, Immune Sidekick, Omega 3-6-9 and sugar free Vitamin C + Zinc.
Unlike many other gummy supplements, Pro Vitamin Co. products are formulated with plant-based pectin to cater for various ethical and religious lifestyles. They are also low in sugar, cruelty free, gluten, dairy and gelatin free, Halal friendly, kosher and formulated in New Zealand.
Delicious natural flavours such as strawberry and passionfruit have been used to ensure the gummies are either low in sugar or sugar free and natural colourants, such as purple carrot juice, have been used so you can be sure you’re eating something tasty and good for you.
Dee: “My husband loves his Chamomile gummy in the evening and feels it helps relax him before bed. I’m currently trying out the Marine Collagen gummies and will keep you posted on how my skin feels after a month.”
(RRP $24.99) Available at Chemist Warehouse.
Green Meadows Beef and Michael Van de Elzen, Green Meadows Beef
The days are getting warmer which means it’s time to get the old BBQ working overtime to bring you all that summertime deliciousness.
For those of you looking for a healthier version of burgers, Green Meadows Beef has once again teamed up with New Zealand’s much loved and renowned chef Michael Van de Elzen to create a new range of burgers and meatballs in line with Van de Elzen’s Good From Scratch philosophy.
Van de Elzen, known for his role on television shows such as TVNZ’s Eat Well For Less, has worked closely with the brand since 2016 and developed the recipes in an effort to provide New Zealanders with tasty, healthy alternatives to their favourite dishes.
Joining the popular Angus Beef and Beetroot range is the Angus Beef and Roasted Capsicum Wholefood Burgers and Meatballs and the Angus Beef and Kimchi Wholefood Burgers. The new range boasts half a cup of vegetables in each pack, and is a good source of protein as well as being gluten and preservative free.
Dee: “Such a great way to sneak veggies into anyone’s diet. Although the burgers don’t have that ‘firm’ feel in your mouth like an all-meat burger does, this doesn’t detract from their tastiness… especially when served in a fresh bun smothered with harissa mayonnaise, grilled eggplant, lettuce and sliced tomato. Yum!”
The Green Meadows range can be purchased on the Green Meadows Beef website, and at select supermarkets throughout the country.
