CHIT CHAT

Plastic who, you say? With the recent resurgence of paper bags pushing the notion of plastic into the dark ages where it belongs, one Instagram account is archiving vintage paper bags in an almost victorious display of celebration. A digital museum of sorts, this page has a focus on English and American bags dating as far back as the 1960s, with specimens ranging from the ordinary through to those worthy of framing. It is a trip down memory lane, and if you are anything like the Avenues team, The Paper Bag Archive will slowly but surely capture more of your screen time. Give them a follow now while they’re still a fresh account. They may even accept submissions – any DEKA bags out there? @paper_bag_archive

Papanui’s latest food offering is Londo. Nestled in Carlton Courts, Londo has a focus on good wine paired with exceptional food. Chef Robert Fairs (known for Roots, Alfred) is at the helm, so expect refined flavour and local ingredients. It’s already a popular spot, so bookings trump walk-ins. @londo.bar

If you’re not already on the plant-based train, here’s your official ‘toot toot’ to get on board. It’s no secret that the spotlight is shining bright on the consumption of meat in our society, and the effects this has on us – both environmentally and physically. Enter Grater Goods, a Sydenham-based eatery heralding a new era in vegan food. Take their Beet Wellington – a beetrootstained seitan (the main protein in gluten) wrapped in a dairy-free pie pastry, with a wine-soaked mushroom duxelles. Looks and tastes as good as the real thing! At a decent 1.2kg, this will easily feed up to seven people. gratergoods.co.nz

Cased in a Tivoli Audio furniture grade wood cabinet and finished with a Gabriel fabric grill, Tivoli’s Cube Bluetooth speaker offers a unique mix of style and sound in a compact and considered package. It offers cable free and high-quality audio that can be played across a single unit or a stereo pair. ballantynes.co.nz

The ultimate stylish picnic set for the perfect plastic-free picnic! Complete with a stylish cooler bag, stainless steel bento box set, two sets of rollaway bamboo cutlery, an insulated tumbler set, and a lightweight cheese board. Every purchase of this picnic set cleans up five square metres of ocean. pellibags.com.au

Tobi-Ishi Outdoor is the outdoor version of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby’s iconic round dining table. Clearly inspired by Zen, the design duo are Japanese art and culture enthusiasts. The name and inspiration come from the smooth stones (tobi-ishi) used as ornaments in traditional Zen gardens. The overhang of the table and the vertical trapezoidal bases set at right angles generate an essential sculptural figure that appears to change shape depending on the point of observation. Tobi-Ishi Outdoor is made of cement, and comes in two colour variants, grey and anthracite. We can see this taking pride of place in many a Canterbury backyard. matisse.co.nz

Famed for his use of colour and print, Dries van Noten’s collaboration with luxury eyewear brand Linda Farrow is an extension of his fashion line and design ethos. This collection is full of high polish acetate frames, feminine cat-eye shapes, and rich jewel tone prints. Have some fun this summer with your shades! lindafarrow.com

If every coffee machine at a certain price point looked the same and made the same quality coffee, how would you choose which one to buy? AnZa was born from this world of espresso, dominated by nearly identical stainless steel machines. AnZa’s aesthetic is refreshingly simple, and the alternative espresso machines are made of alluring, unorthodox materials like concrete, brass, and wood. This mechanical tool could be considered a coveted object of beauty, with the appliance fitting seamlessly into the home like sculpture or a piece of furniture. Don’t fret; AnZa ships worldwide! anzacoffee.com

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