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. Friday 14 December 2018 .




Oh Bumblebee, Oh Bumblebee

How lovely are thy... car parts?




Okay, so maybe singing 'Oh Bumblebee' to the tune of 'Oh Christmas Tree' is a bit of a stretch but whatever. I'm feeling very Christmas-y right now so I'm just going to embrace it.




Last weekend I was lucky enough to come along to a special screening of 'Bumblebee' hosted by Paramount Pictures. I took my youngest brother with me and felt nostalgic when I thought about the last Transformers movie I watched in the cinemas a few years ago with my other brother who is now 19 and decidedly too cool to hang out with his sister at the movies anymore. It's been a while since I've seen Transformers so it's about time an origin story about one of the most-loved characters from the franchise is unleashed into the world.




Set in the 80's, 'Bumblebee' takes place about 20 years before the very first Transformers movie. It centres around Charlie Watson (played by Hailee Steinfeld) - an angsty teenager dealing with a few growing pains, struggling to move forward after losing her dad, and fitting in in general. She's going through normal teen stuff like wanting a car for her 18th birthday, wishing the cute boy from class would notice her, and clashing with her mum like you do when you're a headstrong teen. Because Charlie is resourceful, she goes to a car yard to source parts for the car she's currently building.


 





Enter Bumblebee. He's on earth because Cybertron has fallen and Optimus Prime sent him here in the form of a yellow 1967 Volkswagen Beetle. Of course Charlie and Bumblebee find each other and soon enough they bond and become the best of friends slash family. Of course it wouldn't be a Transofrmers movie without an (unwelcome) appearance by Decepticons. Add a 'wanted by the government' plotline in there and you've got yourself a film.




It had it's cliche moments but it managed to make it endearing and fresh. I loved the meet cute and how wholesome the romantic side story was!




I know that there's been a lot of buzz about why the world needs another Transformers movie but I do think that while this one isn't really essential in understanding the Transformers world, it sure is a nice addition to the franchise. It is a coming-of-age tale both for Charlie and Bumblebee, and in some ways for those of us who grew up watching Transformers too. But it also exists as a stand-alone and if you haven't seen any of the Transformers films and could only pick one to watch, I'd say this is a good one. It's got heart and a great message of resilience, family, and friendship. This film truly does our favourite 'black and yellow transforming friend' justice.




Bumblebee is out in NZ cinemas now and you can watch the full trailer here.




P.S. the film has got John Cena in it (I should have led with this very important fact to be honest)

P.P.S I absolutely loved the soundtrack and the 80s reference and music and I've been listening to a lot of Simple Minds all week because of this

P.P.P.S I got to meet Bumblebee on the day and we took a selfie and when he looked into my eyes with those big blue laser eyes I just honestly fell in love

Bumblebee Review

. Wednesday 5 December 2018 .

I've got to be honest with you - this post was actually going to be something different. I have it saved in my drafts and all, wrote around 500 words on it, have the photos loaded and everything. And then my granddad died. It felt like the whole post in itself became pointless to me. It was a whole lot of complaining about how I was feeling unmotivated and not like myself lately. It was a word vomit of how crappy I've been feeling since turning 27, how my world feels so upside down lately, and how exhausted I was. But then what's the point? I am here. I am alive. 

That's not to say all my problems have magically disappeared with this realisation. No, things are still in the spectrum of awful. It feels as though every aspect of my life is stressful - work has been so unbelievably exhausting and stressful even more so than usual, our dealings with ANZ Australia has been physically and emotionally stressful and frustrating (but more on this story to follow). All I ever seem to do now is go to work, come home and do more work while dealing with this ANZ situation. Somehow between that I've been managing to make dinner, shower, etc. You know those basic things humans do.... yeah. That. 

I am exhausted. I am feeling numb. I have reached my limit. Right now when something shit happens, I'm kinda just like.... yes. Hey look, here's another bad thing*. What's another bad thing on top of the other, eh? There's that. It's happening again. 

Needless to say, I am looking forward to having a break from everything. It really cannot come soon enough. 

But on to the good bits now. I've been going to a lot of media screenings to different films and I've been saying yes to ones that I wouldn't normally go for because I want to try new things. Last week I started and ended the week with movies. Monday night was a special screening of the new JLo film Second Act (it's got Milo Ventimiglia in it too and it's a good time) with Roadshow. I've got a special post around that coming up - a review, giveaway, and interview with one of the stars of the film! I'm so so excited to share that with you. Legit just waiting for the embargo to be lifted now so watch this spaceeee. 

Then Friday night was spent at the Paramount Pictures Christmas party and special screening of Instant Family. Ok but let's talk about this real quick - I felt so, utterly spoilt at this party! There was a Krispy Kreme donut wall (I ate like, 2, and then got a few more to bring inside the theatre for the movie), a photobooth with instant prints (because Instant Family = Instant Prints. I don't make the rules), a caricature artist who drew us on the spot (!!!!), all the canapes and drinks, plus your standard movie snacking like popcorn, drinks, and ice cream. I was stuffed. And then there was the movie. I wanted to see it again and was gutted it doesn't actually open until January 10 next year. More than a month away! How am I going to last that long?! All I can say is it was devastatingly beautiful, heartwarming, and is easily one of the best films I've seen this year. 

So ya know, it's not all doom and gloom here. I feel like I'm going through some very painful growing pains (yes, the redundancy of this statement does not escape me) and I'm barely surviving. But I'm here and I'm trying. She's exhausted but she's doing her best. 

This December I'm trying to enjoy the little things - especially those little things that make me forget everything even for just a little while. Whether that's a film, arranging flowers, listening to music with my eyes closed on the train... it's good for the soul. 

Sometimes all you need is a good escaping in your head. I started the month couped up in bed, binge-watching all episodes of Bodyguard. The rain was falling and all my windows were open. I stood in the balcony for ages and watched it all fall from the sky. It was lovely. On Sunday I ate ice cream for breakfast in bed. I had a slow morning, trying not to be on my laptop or phone, catching up on magazine articles. The ultimate Sunday morning activity, to be honest. A few weeks ago Ben and Jerry's sent me a few of their new non-dairy flavours to try and let me tell you now that they are amazing. I don't even like coconut in ice cream but I enjoyed the coconut seven layer flavour! The real winner for me, though, is the peanut butter and cookies. Oh good lawdy. This is divine! Since trying it, I've probably gone out and bought a tub of it thrice already. Excessive, I know, but you'll understand once you've tried it. I actually prefer this now. It's not too sweet, the cookie bits are massive (I feel like an archaeologist digging up an ancient artefact when I uncover a big piece of cookie in my ice cream tbh), and non-dairy means it's tummy friendly. I get mine from the Ponsonby scoop shop and you can find out more here. Thank you Ben and Jerry's for bringing this into my life. You have single scoopedly handedly saved my sanity these past few weeks.

I want to put together some death resolutions. It's not as morbid as it sounds, I promise. You know that feeling you get when someone close to you dies and all of a sudden it's like a switch has been turned on? You are jolted awake, suddenly all too aware of our finiteness and how fragile life is. How life is happening now and the present is all we're ever promised so we must do it now. Don't wait. Don't wait. Don't wait. That's been echoing in my mind for these past few weeks. Don't wait. These resolutions will maybe be that - a list of things I will no longer be waiting for. Or maybe it will turn into something different. All I know is right now it feels like life is short and I want to live it fully. Maybe once my body catches up on sleep. But then would that be a form of waiting, thus going against everything I've just said? I don't even know. 

It's 12:08 am and I really should go to bed. I have to be up soon to do this all over again. I kind of don't want to. Good night. Don't wait. 

In December

. Monday 29 October 2018 .

"Massey and I are the only straight guys in the competition."

I believe those were one of the first sentences designer Matt Costello from Stelloco Clothing ever uttered to me the first time we met way back in September at TVNZ for the Project Runway New Zealand launch party.

 I laughed. And then we took this photo:




I was immediately drawn to their lack of pretentiousness. I sometimes feel that fashion events can have a certain vibe, and it's especially intimidating to go to these events alone. There's something about 'fashion' that some people interpret as being unapproachable. Even I felt a bit intimidated at the start of the night as I walked in alone, not really knowing anyone. But these guys - along with the other designers - made me feel so welcome. Matt was the chattier of the two and I could tell Massey was taking it all in. It was their big night, after all, and all eyes were on them.




We talked about how they were feeling ahead of the launch, got to know a bit about them and what made them tick, and of course we exchanged instahandles because who even has business cards these days?




Needless to say I was very curious to see what these guys are made of. I was rooting for them to succeed. I still am! There's something so fresh about their perspective and I think that's important in fashion. I especially loved Matt's top in his last challenge on the show and thought that he stayed true to who he is as a designer while also going with the brief. Aren't briefs meant to be interpreted after all?




I (and the rest of my lovely gang who commentates live with me on Monday nights) cheered loudly when Massey won the second challenge. I was proud of the way he dust himself off from the previous week and emerged victorious.




See what these guys have is something unique and so needed in the NZ fashion landscape right now so I'm really excited to see what the future holds for them.




To the straight guys of Project Runway New Zealand, thank you for shaking things up! I've loved hearing what you had to say through your garments. Monday nights are not the same!




Matt





How are you feeling right now?




I feel very humbled and honoured to be a part of the first season of Project Runway New Zealand, however I feel that the decision to send me home was the wrong one. Personally, I like to think my edgy forward thinking designing could of really been refreshing as a final collection on the show. The brief for this challenge was to not make it look like wearable art and felt the other bottom look was exactly that. But hey, win or learn!





What was the highlight of being on the show for you?





Getting to push my skill sets in a very intense environment. It has helped me realise my place in the fashion world and once again if you put your mind and heart into something you can achieve – but working in the team challenge was actually a highlight for me, because it’s the one that has defeated me, I want to learn from it and grow as a designer!








What garment would you have loved to create in this season?





I had some really awesome concepts in my mind to shock the public for the red-carpet challenge , and to find out that’s the following challenge I was pretty guttered.





Where to next? What have you got coming up?




I am now taking on the 2IC roll at the new barkers store in Nelson , this is really exciting time for me but also I am going to be driving my fashion line “Stelloco Clothing” to the top.





Where can we follow your work?



If you loved what I do and can see my passion – come join the culture and positive movement:




www.stelloco.com




Instagram : stellococlothing

Facebook : Stelloco



Massey






How are you feeling now?








I'm gutted that I'm leaving but so proud of what I was able to accomplish and learn in this time.





What inspires you?





Action! I love watching action movies – adrenaline sports; anything that gets the heart pumping and questions ones ability.








Dream collaboration/dream person to design for/dress?






I have always fantasised about designing for the likes of Balenciaga or Yamamoto; they are the pinnacle for me. Despite having a rather polarised aesthetics, I feel they tie really well into my design style.





Advice for those wanting to pursue a career as a fashion designer?



Live, love and learn.







Where can we follow you and keep up with what's next?






Follow me on my Instagram @discipleofdiscipline. I'm working on two different collections at the moment as well as doing film projects in Christchurch – we’re helping develop and promote Christchurch City.










Project Runway New Zealand airs every Monday, 7:30 pm on TVNZ 2. Watch it On Demand here. Images by Tom Hollow.

To the guys of Project Runway New Zealand

. Wednesday 17 October 2018 .



"Do we really need another remake of A Star Is Born?" I pondered hours before the New Zealand premiere held last Wednesday evening, a week before the film finally premieres in our side of the world. This is the fourth retelling of this tale so I was incredibly curious as to what made this so special that it had to be retold every few years. The original version first came our in 1937, then in 1954 with Judy Garland, and again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand.




What was it about this film, then? Are we really that lazy to come up with 'original' storylines and are we doomed to spend our days watching remake after remake in film and TV? Yeah, maybe. But do 'original' ideas even exist? Or do we just go down the same creative paths over and over again, offering a new perspective each time our stories are told?




Not that I'm complaining. I'm a sucker for these plotlines! Give me a story with fallen stars and undiscovered artists any day. I don't know why I like this so much. Is it because I'm fascinated by this glamorous world as an aspiring actress myself? Is it because I really like seeing two attractive, heterosexual, caucasians fall in love on screen? Again, I don't know.




All I know is that even though we've been down the same road before, I still found myself getting giddy at the inevitable meet cute between Bradley Cooper's "Jackson Maine" and Lady Gaga's "Ally". Maybe this is what makes this movie so magical - the fact that everytime this story is told, while the foundations and themes are the same, the story always ends up different. I had not seen any of the original versions but after doing a bit of research, I found out that none of them followed the exact same plotline. They didn't even all have the same character names!






This latest version is set in a contemporary world. Jackson Maine is a troubled musician, a true blue rockstar who ticks every single stereotype of the word. Ally is a struggling artist who has somewhat given up on her dreams of being a musician. By day she works in a restaurant (every artist can relate to this scenario of taking day jobs to pay the bills while we hustle to make it big), and at night she performs in drag bars. Jackson discovers Ally and as her star rises we see his decline.




I liked it but I expected more. The more I think about it, the more frustrated I am about how it all ended. The movie started off strong but the middle made me feel a bit restless. It's a long movie (2 hrs 15 min to be exact) and I felt that it was gratuitous to keep dwelling on Jack spiralling down. To me that wasn't the story. I would have loved to know more about Ally's life. Even though it's 2018 and more women are at the forefront of their own stories, I still feel like the film carried over its past patriarchal ideologies in this version. Ally's life seem to only center around a man, whether that's Jack or her father. Her career was only a second priority. And even though there were a few scenes with her and her friends, it still feels like those scenes were only focussed on Jack and not really on her.




I wanted her backstory. I wanted to get to know her as a person, her hopes and dreams deeper than what was explored. I wanted to know the family dynamics and her relationship with her dad. All throughout the film we only know her as "Ally" - no last name or even a clue to what it is. Then in the end she introduces herself as Ally Maine. She didn't even have her own identity beyond Jack.




I think not showing her full character development did this film a disservice, especially considering how it ended. I didn't feel as strong of an emotional connection as what I should have felt after that climax. The last 20 minutes is intense and while I'm a highly emotional person who cries over everything, I felt nothing once the credit rolled. Well, maybe not nothing because I'm not a heartless person, but I didn't feel what the movie was probably hoping it would make me feel towards the end. I couldn't help but think that it was a complete waste of a roller coaster and that the events that happened to get us to that ending was all for nothing.




I also think the contemporary setting could have been embedded more in the film, perhaps incorporating the modern way we consume 'celebrity' these days. Sure there were mentions of YouTube and algorithms in a heartwarming scene between Ally's dad and her friends, but where were the celebrity gossip blogs? The depiction of Instagram and it's relationship to the overall celebrity culture and identity? I think incorporating those would have really left a mark as a very 2018 thing to do so that when we watch it in the future before it gets remade again, we can feel nostalgic for 2018 and how the world was back in that era.




All this being said, though, I feel like I'm one of the only few people to share this opinion of liking the film but not really loving it as much as I thought I would. So far on social media all I see are people raving about it, talking about how it's the best movie of the year etc etc. To each their own, I guess. It IS a must-see though purely for the acting (Bradley and Gaga are sensational in this film, their chemistry so believable and genuine that I forgot she was the Lady Gaga for most of the film), the gorgeous cinematography, and Anthony Ramos' portrayal of Ally's loyal bestfriend Ramon.




Then there's the soundtrack. All original, mostly written and performed by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. The music feels organic to the film and I think if I had listened to the songs before I had seen it, I probably would have been more connected to the film. I'm planning to see the it again, this time more familiar with the songs. It might change my view of the film. The like might just turn into love. After all, if I've learnt anything from this movie, it's that a song can change someone's life and that music and love are two of the most powerful, magical forces in our human experience.




A Star Is Born opens in New Zealand on Thursday, 18 November. Watch the trailer here. This review originally appeared on http://kimberleycrossman.com.

A Star Is Born Review

. Sunday 14 October 2018 .



It’s Sunday evening which means in my head I've basically gotten through Monday already (lol no send coffee pls) and it's Project Runway time! Like I said, I’m very much looking forward to TV viewing old-school style again that I’m even enjoying watching the ad break! Can you believe?


Anyway, I know I said I was posting a recap of the first episode and I didn’t. Ok so I lied. But shit happened (shit being me) and Tuesday came around and my whole team was off sick so homegirl was busy. By the time I got home, all I could do was legit pass out and eat in bed. Ah well, this week is a new week and I am READY!



Here’s what you missed on Glee Project Runway New Zealand: First episode finally aired on TVNZ 2 and of course they wasted no time at all and went straight to the first challenge. Actually, no, the show opened with the designers meeting each other for the first time. Of course this being New Zealand (with a small but vibrant fashun industry), we find out within the first 10 minutes of the show that some of them already know each other. That tug at my heartstrings, to be honest. I love that this is New Zealand and we are so small and that we can have moments like this on a massive TV franchise like Project Runway. The challenge for this episode was to create a cocktail dress inspired by Hopt soda, a major show sponsor. I personally found it to be a bit meh as a first challenge, but then again what do I know?



The first round of eliminations saw Nicole get the cut and while I really didn't like her dress, I do respect the fact that she stuck with who she is as a designer and what she wanted to create. I think that's the most important thing in a show like this - to create what you want. Other's opinions be damned.


Episode two was a bit more exciting for me. First of all, Judy finally got more airtime! We barely saw her in episode one - a sentiment that other people on Twitter shared too so of course I'm feeling validated. This episode opened with the designers on location at everybody's favourite mall - Sylvia Park - home to the only Zara in NZ! We are told that Kiwi Property is a major sponsor, hence the location and the accessory wall. Actually, I feel like we keep hearing about this accessory wall but never get to see it in full. Can someone please do an accessory wall tour like they do in YouTube? Kind regards.




Mentor Andreas Mikellis assigned each designer a store where they get to pick one item to incorporate into this week's look. Ok look, Sylvia Park is my jam. It is my mall shopping destination of choice. I know these stores and their merchandise and their layout so seeing them film inside Gassons was honestly the show's most relatable moment so far. Anyway, the group reconvenes back in the middle of Sylvia Park (idk what time they filmed but the mall was ghost town!) and Andreas reveals that they now need to swap items with the person next to them. They were clearly SHOOK by this and as my friend Geoj said in our comment thread, "were they not expecting the old switcheroo?!"


They weren't. But what can you do, eh? This week's challenge is to come up with a contemporary streetwear look incorporating the item they got and it is ON. I must say this week's outfits were so much better. I'm not the biggest streetwear wearer in the world, but I appreciated how they interpreted this brief. I'm not prepared to talk about each of the looks because it's been, like, a week and I'm kind of tired, but this is something I'd love to go more into this week!


What I will say though is that my boy Massey won this week's challenge with his uber chic cape/top thing that I would 100% buy if I saw it in store. I don't even mind that it's not in black! I loved everything about this look - the top and the handpainted design on the skirt was such a fresh take on streetwear. The only thing I'd probably change is the skirt length. I'd take it up a bit higher so homegirl can show off her legs more while in sneaks. And I say this as someone who wears sneakers 99% of the time.




But of course this being a competition, someone had to be cut this week. And unfortunately that someone is my girl Lenon. I am genuinely shocked about this. All she ever wanted to do was create androgynous and gender fluid garments! Is it too much to ask that we have this type of creativity on our TV screens? Is it too much to ask for Lenon to have her own TV show because I LIVE for her commentary! As I was live tweeting last week, I found that most of NZ shared the same sentiment. We want Lenon back. She deserved better. We all deserved better than this. I still can't believe they picked Beth's design over Lenon's. This is an injustice and I'm still not over it.


So this is an interview I didn't think I would be doing so soon! Lenon and I have been following each other on the ol' Instagram and have slid into each other's DMs before finally meeting IRL at the Project Runway launch last September. Lenon has such a great energy to her - fun, charismatic, unapologetically herself, and just is. She even shared her last pizza slice with me. That's a true friend, right there. I definitely don't think this will be the last we'll see of her. She tells me she's into acting and loves to pursue other creative endeavours. I told her I couldn't wait to make magic with her. It's happening. I'm excited! But for now I leave you with this:


How are you feeling now?





I don’t see leaving Project Runway as the end, it’s more like the beginning of a new chapter. The show has really inspired me to get creating!



What inspires you?


My aesthetic stylistically echoes my African heritage and also reflects my androgynous and flamboyant personality. I am a huge fan rich bold colours and strong silhouettes.



Dream collaboration/dream person to design for/dress?


I dream of dressing up Lupita Nyongo, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah, Lady Gaga because these figures are not afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to personal style.






Fun fact, I actually had a cameo role in Scarlet Johansson’s movie, Ghost in a Shell, and after meeting her I was in absolute awe of her personality – so I would definitely take up the offer of dressing her if this were ever to arise!


Advice for those wanting to pursue a career as a fashion designer?


Don’t be afraid to take risk; trust me you will be amazed. Keep at it and believe in yourself, and one day you might surprise yourself!


Where can we follow you and keep up with what's next?

Follow me up on Instagram: @lenon_wakuwa
Facebook: Lenon Wakuwa Mudiwamwanawaishe
Also check out my website; it is still under construction, but it should be finished soon: http://lanneberry19.wixsite.com/adhala-lenzo


Project Runway New Zealand airs every Monday, 7:30 pm on TVNZ 2. Watch it On Demand here. Images by Tom Hollow.

Project Runway New Zealand: Episode Two

. Sunday 7 October 2018 .


As far as hotels go, The Calile is pretty much a dream come true. Every detail was well-thought of, design and experience intentional. Beautiful interiors? Yes. Impeccable service? Yes. Delicious food? My heart and my tummy says yes. Has a pool? Hell yeah! Spacious room? You bet. And most importantly... has a bathroom that I would like to move into permanently? A big, resounding yes.




Actually, I could probably just make this short and end the review here. I feel like I've said all I needed to say about it. The Calile ticked all the boxes and then some. But I digress. There was a moment after we checked in where mum and I looked at each other and just squealed. Actually sat in bed, arms flailing, grinning ear to ear because we couldn't believe we were in someplace so beautiful. I know grateful is fast becoming a buzzword in Instagram culture these days, but we felt gratitude to our very core.




We checked in to The Calile on a Thursday afternoon - their very first day open for business! I've looked at photos of the hotel prior to the trip and was so impressed not only by the look of the resort, but by their cohesive branding too. It was clear from the start that The Calile - even though they were new to the scene - had a clear idea of who they are and what their brand stands for.




After the initial freakout over how beautiful the room is (a moment that was forever captured by my mother on Instagram), we got changed shortly after because we all know changing into hotel robes and slippers are the best parts of a hotel experience. We found ours hanging in the exposed wardrobe between the bed and bathroom. In lieu of the usual white terrycloth robe you'd come to expect at hotels was a beautiful beige linen robe especially designed for The Calile by Australian label Bassike. This is what I mean when I say that they have put thought into everything they do - the linen robes are light and airy, perfect for the warm weather (Side note - this was my second time back in Australia and OMG I didn't realise it gets that hot) so you can enjoy that hotel robe life without sweltering.




I did a quick room tour on my Instagram stories (it's on my highlights section on my page still under The Calile) and throughout our stay kept gushing about the bathroom. Look, I love a good bathroom, okay? I know we only spend a certain amount of time in them but if it were up to me, I'd do everything in that space. Maybe reply to some emails. I don't know. Something. I was really excited everytime I stepped into that shower. It's just so pretty! Just. Look. At. It!!! The Grown Alchemist toiletries were a nice touch too. It's a brand I really love and so to find them in there just made the whole experience even more luxurious. My only wish is that every room had a bath because I would love to have a bath while surrounded by pretty pink tiles but hey, I heard their suites had baths in them so that's a handy tip for next time!




We haven't even talked about the rest of the hotel yet! The Calile has a pool (not just any pool but the dreamiest pool and pool area I ever did see) and an amphitheatre with the best views of Brisbane. Even the corridors are so visually stunning with their neutral palette and smooth lines.




Mum and I took a walk around and bumped into so many others doing the same, taking photos for Instagram, and admiring the view. It just goes to show how beautiful The Calile really is especially under clear blue skies. It's the kind of place that makes me feel like I'm in LA or Miami - palm trees, clear blue water in the pool, and lounging around under massive umbrellas. It's the perfect place to escape to - whether you're on holiday and visiting Brisbane or even a staycation for a weekend if you're local.

 


Part of any hotel experience is room service. You know, that glorious moment where you can just pick up a phone and tell them what you'd like to eat and then like magic, you'll eventually hear a knock on your door from someone who is bringing you happiness in a plate. I have this theory that one of the reasons why we find hotels relaxing is because we don't have to do the cooking and dishes after. As much as I love to cook, man it takes up a lot of time. Then there's the cleaning up bit which I find even worse. Anyway, that's not the point.




We ordered room service for breakfast and were told that we were the first ones to do so! It was such a nice way to start the day - we were greeted by the lovely Kim and Monica with huge smiles and a yummy fare. We had salmon bagels with onsen egg (slow cooked soft boiled egg the Japanese way - it's life changing) and an omelette with tea and coffee. So good we had the same thing the next day because we are creatures of habit and if we love something, we love it hard. It was a good morning indeed.




Not to be that person who goes on and on about food, but I need to take a moment to talk about Lobby Bar. Okay, let's be honest, I am that girl who likes to drone on about food. But hear me out - we had one of the best meals of our lives at Lobby Bar. On our last night at The Calile, mum and I went for dinner downstairs. It was the only thing we haven't experienced yet at The Calile, and we wanted to try everything before we left. So we took that short commute down via one elevator ride. The place was busy, humming with conversation and an electric energy (booze?). We were lucky to get one of the last tables and were greeted by Kim and Monica again. We've grown close to them by this stage and we knew a bit about each other (like Monica used to manage Ortolana which is my local cafe here in Auckland) so dining there was kind of like dining at a friends place. Warm, friendly, inviting.




We decided to try a few different things starting with the burrata. Oh that burrata. I'm still dreaming about it now! Came with the freshest salad and miso pesto (I'm pretty sure I tasted those flavours) dressing. We had the Wagyu and frites, the chicken (served cold, delicious, unlike anything we've ever tried before) and topped the meal off with some green tea ice cream and chocolate mousse. Chef Kitak even came out to say hello and assure mum Wagyu is best when it's cooked medium (mum is a well done kinda gal through and through) which was so nice of him to do. It was decadent but light and I was so sad we were going home the next day because I wanted to eat it again!




I heard they were also building another restaurant on site called Hellenika with a menu that's Greek inspired. Not sure when they'll open but hopefully the next time we come around we'll get to try it. For now, though, Lobby Bar is the way to go - I regret not taking more photos during the day but there's always the next trip, right?

 


On our last day at The Calile, I went for an early morning swim and watched the sun come up (thank you, body clock and time difference). It was so peaceful. Mum was still in the room and I had the pool all to myself. I thought about ways I could - I don't know - delay the inevitable moment that we have to leave the hotel.




They were discreetly installing some seats in the cabanas behind me and it reminded me that there was still a lot more to come at The Calile. Usually on a hotel's opening weekend, you tend to expect a bit more conundrums as they start polishing up products or services or even interactions with customers. We didn't feel any of that there, just a lovely experience in a beautiful, dreamy place, with a wonderfully kind team behind it. If this is the experience now, I can't help but think how amazing the new developments will be. I can't wait to revisit The Calile when that happens but for now, we leave with great memories, an addiction to burrata (there, I said it. Now I can start the recovery journey), and a whole lot of photos to show for it.




Thank you Jeremy, Jackson, Danika, Kim, Monica, and the rest of the team for such an incredible stay and for your hospitality. Miss you already, The Calile. I'm already planning a trip back!




The Calile Hotel
48 James Street
Fortitude Valley
QLD Australia 4006

This post was created in partnership with The Calile Hotel

The Calile Hotel