About Us




Welcome to In Search of the Good Life! 


It's a bit of a grand title really, but I guess it sums up what we are trying to do. We are a family of four (six if you count the dogs) living in Auckland New Zealand. Nick works for a major New Zealand retailer, the Warehouse. Henry is our 17 year-old in his second-to-last year at school and Richard is 15 - both boys are at school in Auckland. I am a food stylist/social media manager/ recipe developer working with Annabel Langbein, NZ's most well known celebrity cook. The dogs are Dougie, a 7-year-old Border Terrier and 5-year-old Maggie is a West Highland White Terrier. And now - this is what it's all about: In Search of the Good Life. If I could imagine my perfect life (oh my God, I'm feeling a bit teary!) this would be it: to live in a beautiful, comfortable home with Nick, surrounded by sea and land and productive vegetable and flower gardens, chickens in their coops, dogs roaming the bush, over-looking wine growing on the vines. I would have beautiful guest rooms for my boys and their future families to come and stay, also available for beloved friends. I would like to entertain, to pick people up from the ferry, welcome them to our little piece of paradise, to take them to our wonderful spot, turn up some fabulous music, eat beautiful food, drink delicious wine and enjoy life with them. I would like a house full of laughter and sunshine (just not on me - permanently slathered in sunscreen and hat-wearer that I am). I would love to have paying guests from all over the world - so that Nick and I could share Waiheke with them. I imagine turning down fine linen sheets in a beautiful bedroom, providing freshly made breakfasts and picnic hampers packed with local wine and home-made gourmet food, and sending guests off on vespers to discover the beautiful island beaches and vineyards. I would love to have brides and grooms surrounded by their happy friends holding weddings in our beautiful garden in front of the vines, drinking champagne and being photographed framed by sea views and grape vines.

Not much huh?

Is it possible to have such indulgent dreams and then try and turn them into reality? Is it stupid? Selfish? Tempting fate? I don't know, and I am a little bit scared, actually quite a lot,  but F**k it, we're going to try!

Here's a few pics from the section earlier this year, as you can see we were quite excited about it....











You'll also find me on Pinterest and Facebook: Maybe see you there!

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