Billie

Endless possibilities: The Cricut Explore 4 is compatible with 100+ materials like vinyl, iron-on and cardstock, while the Cricut Maker 4 works with 300+ materials including leather, matboard and more. While these machines’ primary purpose is to cut intricate designs with precision, additional attachments allow you to also write, draw, foil, emboss and more.

Winter is the ultimate excuse to cancel plans, live in oversized sweaters, and dive into a good book with a hot drink in hand. And is there anything better than a good ol’ romance?! Earlier this year, Enamoured Books, Auckland's first-ever romance-dedicated bookstore opened. Operating both in store (Auckland) and online, Enamoured Books is more than just a bookshop.

Try as I might to resist it, I - like most Gen Z’s - am prone to the occasional distraction à la social media. In the spirit of transparency, I started writing this 27 minutes ago, and have already swiped through 15 Instagram stories and opened TikTok three times. And yes, every time I have PROMISED myself that I’ll scroll for Just. One. More.

Whoever suggested that our friends are the family we choose was onto something. Because seriously, gals, if there’s one thing this (elder) Gen Z knows to be true, it’s that friendships can serve as an anchor through any storm. By now, you’ve probably heard that proverb about how some friends come into your life for a reason, others for a season, and a few for a lifetime. Which is, of course, to say that there are many types of friendship - and they all bring something meaningful into your life.

Dreaming of: B: Travelling! I really want to see more places and experience different cultures! G: Performing at Laneway. I went to my first laneway this year, and I can’t wait to perform on bigger stages in front of heaps of people. I’m currently inspired by: B: New Zealand bands/artists! I think I’ve been really inspired by NZ artists recently and getting our music out into the NZ music scene! G: My musical friends I’ve gotten to know in Wellington.

But something you really should commit to if it’s not yet the ghd Chronos Max Hair Straightener is their Bodyguard Heat Protection Spray. I’ve actually never used heat protectant spray but now I don’t think I could live without it. ghd send it through as an extra, but it’s more than a side piece when I comes to my hair cycle. The bodyguard spray contains a heat protection system that allows me to straighten my hair without the ‘am I damaging my hair’ guilt.

What surprised you most about your job once you started working? I don’t think anything really surprised me too much as I’d followed the scene pretty closely as a fan, but I did have a big realisation that everyone - even the people I have always looked up to - is just figuring it out as they go, grinding, and trying to make it. Once I started working with artists, I saw that we’re all on the same ride, trying to create and share our work with the world.

I’m currently inspired by: St Vincent and The Breeders. My favourite way to relax is: I am not too good at this, so I do things that I have to be present for - being with friends or taking myself out for coffee and writing. I stay healthy by: Listening to my body. Mental and physical go hand in hand.

With the cooler weather keeping you more indoors, now is the time to consider picking up a new hobby or craft. Over the last year I’ve taught myself how to cross stitch, which is an easy hobby to pick up with the design options truly being endless– grab yourself a cute new pattern from a small business on Etsy, like these CUTE wildflowers or this pattern set of generation 1 - 9 Pokemon. Otherwise, there’s some really cool affordable yet stylish crafting kits at the likes of Typo.

One thing I love about Gen-Z is: They’re hilarious and also unapologetic. I wish I was that effortlessly cool at that age. If I could give my teenage self one bit of advice, what would it be: You don’t have to become what they want you to be in order to fit in. It really is better to stand out and if they don’t like it, they’re not your people. My favourite part of being a teenager was: The freedom, I had so much time to hang out with my friends and just be silly! No extreme pressures.