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Oscar&Co is a premium hair salon that has been operating in Takapuna for about 11 years. Last year, Jen Andrews bought it off the original owner Gene. “Gene built it from the ground up, and we thought we could elevate it even further,” Jen says.  The salon has a high-quality feeling to it, a place where you can relax and forget about the stresses of life. The hair artists are super talented – all hair for the stunning model shots on Oscar&Co’s website was done in-house. We had a chat to Jen as part of I Love Takapuna’s wellness month. This month we’re talking about wellness in Takapuna. Is haircare a piece of the wellness puzzle? In these times with Covid and potentially a little

Being SAD in winter is a legitimate thing – Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD is most likely caused by the lack of sunlight… it can affect our mood, our health, and our motivation. I know I have days when I walk to work in the dark, and I leave work in the dark… well those days are almost over! Spring is in the air; the days are growing longer and it’s time to drag ourselves out of hibernation and blossom into our fabulous summer selves.  Whether it’s creating a regular exercise routine, eating healthy foods to fuel your body and mind, putting an end to bad habits or if you simply don’t know where to start – here are my go-to habits to get you

Takapuna is your wellness destination. We’ve got a plethora of fitness and wellbeing centres, and you’ll see several of them running outdoor beach classes near The Strand in the summer. And, in a new addition to the Takapuna active scene, you can now gear up at the massive new lululemon store in Hurstmere Road. So whether you’re scheduling in a class after work or getting your stretch on before heading out for weekend brunch, these are the Takapuna Yoga and Pilates studios that will set you and your body up for success – and the unique ways each studio approaches exercise and wellbeing. Connect with your body at Kia Kaha Studios This beautiful fitness and health centre has all levels covered, from relaxing yin yoga

Time for a wardrobe tune-up? Feeling the chill? You’ll be blazing hot after a spree at some of these world-class and Takapuna-famous fashion stores. Here’s our guide to gearing up this winter. Go long with a good coat Cover up, create a silhouette, shelter from the weather, and look damn sharp doing it. We don’t know if you’ve heard yet, but just about every stylist anywhere is telling us green is the colour of the year – check out this beautiful Grace Coat from Kilt and Olive Double Breasted Coat from Portmans. Plaids are something a little different that’s also neutral and easy to wear – like this Central Park Coat from Federation – or go a little wild with something like this Houndstooth Check

Regular and upcoming events and good times New to Takapuna? Visiting town? Or are you a Takapuna veteran looking for something new to fill your evenings and entertain your mates? Whatever the situation, there is a beachload of awesome ways to spend a night out here. You’ve obviously got the local bar scene, we’ve got a raft of fantastic local restaurants, and if you’re looking for something a bit special and different, there’s a whole lot of regular and upcoming events you should definitely have on your radar. Read on to find out more! Weekly events at The Elephant Wrestler Every Tuesday from 7pm is Trivia Quiz Night. Get your brainiest (or luckiest) team together, prepare for a bit of competitive fun, and win yourselves

An opportunity to bond with your workmates, spin some yarns, complain about the boss – work drinks may well be the highlight of your working week. So, best not waste this precious time at a sub-standard venue. We’ve rounded up a few of our Takapuna favourites. For a more complete list of fantastic places to grab a drink with your workmates in Takapuna, check out our bars directory. ‘Refined’ business drinks at Regatta Bar & Eatery This is the place to start things off if you’re entertaining clients or when the boss has come out to play. Very nice venue, with a view of the beach and an impressive list of cocktails and mocktails for a classy evening with the co-workers. Drink of choice: Scapegrace

We’re lighting up Takapuna! Just in time for the first annual Matariki holiday, we’ve introduced a new, twinkling fairy light trail to make your Takapuna nights a little brighter. Rug up warm and bring the kids, family and friends for a winter stroll along the Takapuna Fairy Light Trail. Meet up for a spot of dinner at one of Takapuna’s fabulous eateries, grab a hand-warming hot beverage, treat the kids to an ice-cream and wander through Takapuna and enjoy all the wonderful lights! LIGHTS ON from 5.30pm – 10.30pm Check out the handy map of all the fairy light locations below.

Image Auckland and I Love Takapuna presents a special exhibition celebrating Music, Concerts and Performances in New Zealand. The exhibition is a selection of entries from the first Aotearoa Music Photography Award in 2021 in a walk-by street exhibition in the heart of Takapuna from May to July 2022. (Image: Stella Gardiner; Benee – Peachy Keen Festival, Wellington) Professional and amateur photographers alike were invited to send in their images taken at live gigs, concerts, backstage or at Festival or community events. All genres and styles of photography were welcome as long as they were music related. All images were taken in Aotearoa by a great selection of NZ based photographers, photographing both New Zealand and international acts. WHEN: May 2nd, 2022 – August 2nd,

With the country now learning how to live with the current situation, it’s time to make a move. Back to the office, back to your city and town centre and to enjoying all the fun and unique things that come with it. From delicious barista-made coffees to the return of team morning teas, and the abundance of choice that comes with what to have or lunch. Celebrate that your neighbours are once again, great cafes, restaurants and eateries. There’s so much to rediscover – like new public spaces and retail stores, and of course, all the great bars nearby – because let’s face it, real drinks beat Zoom drinks, period! Plus, there’s nothing quite like face-to-face collaboration with colleagues for bouncing around ideas. Whether it’s