"ลtautahi locals - This newsletter will RUIN your free time... in the best way" ๐ฅ
*NEW FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER* โก๏ธ Fresh workshops & events, weird hobbies & advice, creative deals & career possibilities, and meeting local legends doing cool sh*t along the way. ๐ก Plan your weekend, accidentally reinvent your life. ๐ Inspiration drops every Wednesday at noon.
Share
Find Your Fizz in Festive Lights ๐, Firs ๐ฒ, and Folk Music ๐ป
Published about 1 month agoย โขย 4 min read
Kia Ora Dabblers!
Apparently, I dabbled too close to the sun last week and required 3-6 business days (and 2030 bedtimes) to recoup... In saying that, it sounds like almost every other person I chat to is feeling similar- so, how are you doing? And more importantly, how are you looking after yourself right meow?
And also, happy December!(?) Do we dare talk about "that time of year" (Woolworths (et al.) playing carols in November?! ...straight into the 'so-expired-it-can't-even-be-donated' bin you go.), and are we making nightly plans to drive by every light display available, or are we pretending it doesn't exist and gazing towards [Summer picnics/taking up rollerblading/butts/Parakiore's opening week]?
Speaking of, I know at least one person who's FIZZING about the hydroslide and would not be surprised if I get a photo* at 0531 on Wednesday 17th... โ(*not an invitation, mate)
Will you be lining up before sunrise on opening day at Parakiore?
Back to the present, it looks like you're gonna have to prioritise shtuff on Sat/Sun, there is SO much happening - I'm eyeing up the bonsai's, what's topping your list?
Word Jumble: (hint: related to the events above, answers at the bottom of the newsletter)
ABSNOI
IREATER
LOPO RYPTA
โ
CELEBRATING RAD PEOPLE DOING RAD THINGS (that's you)
๐ชด You know those gifts that accidentally become your most prized possession, and then somewhat sporadically come full circle/sprout a new idea/hobbsession/business...? (Ooh, please hit reply and tell me what sprung to mind for you!)
In a classic dabbler move, after being gifted a Bonsai and subsequently spending yeeears with soil-covered fingies (and 20+ Asia excursions), โจAaron Curtisโจ couldn't find what he was looking for (tiny tree training pots) and imported some to suit - which was apparently a good idea...other people wanted them, too.
4+ years on, Shiro Bonsai is growing into its vision - from markets and an ecommerce store, to a physical store (and cafe!), sold-out nationwide workshops and annual shows, Aaron is living and breathing (hopefully not soil) Bonsai mastery ๐ (and (understandably) appears pretty darn stoked about it!)
โ ๐ฑ Bonsai Beginners Presentationโ โAimed to inspire & create confidence in creating your first bonsai. Covering styling & on-going care for your bonsai trees.โ When: Sunday 7th Dec, 11am-12pm (1hr)โ โWhere: Kusamono Cafe, 121 Brighton Mall, New Brighton โEntry: FREE
๐ฒ Bonsai Styling Demonstrationโ โLearn wiring techniques, styling tips & ask any tricky questions you may have.โ When: Sunday 7th Dec, 2pm-4pm (2hrs)โ โWhere: Kusamono Cafe, 121 Brighton Mall, New Brighton โEntry: FREE โ
Ready to branch out further? Peep the full list of workshops and courses (a couple upcoming in Jan!)hereโ
โ
PERMISSION TO CHUCK THE CORPORATE LADDER ON THE BONFIRE
๐ D(rive)YO Campervan Biz?
Live vicariously through tourists (or become one with your own vehicle- it's your biz, do what you like?) by hiring out your fleet of self-contained vans.
With bookings currently being managed and Summer season booking up, it's a fairly hands-off (ad)venture... Beep, beep!โ โ
As we hurtle into the holiday season, give yourself permission to take 3-6 business days (however often you like) to recoup.Remember, rest is a hobby (you heard it here first, folks) ๐
"ลtautahi locals - This newsletter will RUIN your free time... in the best way" ๐ฅ
*NEW FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER* โก๏ธ Fresh workshops & events, weird hobbies & advice, creative deals & career possibilities, and meeting local legends doing cool sh*t along the way. ๐ก Plan your weekend, accidentally reinvent your life. ๐ Inspiration drops every Wednesday at noon.
Read more from "ลtautahi locals - This newsletter will RUIN your free time... in the best way" ๐ฅ
Aloha Dabblers! Welcome the heck to 2026! I feel like I slept/napped/rested/meditated/embroidered the last 3 (4?) weeks, which I'm (surprisingly?) quite OK with. If you don't know me personally (yet), I chose to delete the word โจshouldโจ from my vocab, and maaate, it's freeing, tellyawhat. 7/7 would recommend. As well as Turtle-ing (actually, they probably don't do embroidery on account of not having thumbs) I also;๐ Walked approx 60km (not in one go)๐ง Made approx. 5kg of trifle (3.9kg for...
Aloha Dabblers! And a special 'hiiiiiii' to the lovely folks I chatted with at the ลtautahi Pre-loved Clothing Market (and thanks again, Eileen and Lisa ๐ซถ). I was absolutely wiped out on Sunday evening (ha!), but it was a great experience and I do hope to do more markets next year. Some of the stallholders really had their systems and sh..tuff DOWN, I feel I need to up my game ๐ (made a few mental notes!) Side quest: I have also been wanting to get into mural painting, so took the first step...
Howdy Dabblers! We heard ya - the (g?)rumblings echoed something along the lines of "my mind and body are ready for it to be December, but said body and mind are also actively avoiding Westfield from. now. on.- no exceptions."... So we've maintained the same wide event net, with a wee sprinkling of festiveness, so you can choose to partake if you're feelin' it. โค๏ธ๐ A speedy one this week - letโs dive (well, manu) in! C.x โจ THIS WEEK'S EXCUSES TO PUT ON PANTS Wednesday 10th December ๐...
