Natasha Mead: Obsessive (in the best way), generous, and an absolute purist. I am always excited to meet up with Natasha. She always seems to comes along with some great piece of information like where the best green smoothies are from, or how I can sort out my indoor plant problem, or a story from […]
Summer with Natasha Mead
Natasha Mead: Obsessive (in the best way), generous, and an absolute purist.
I am always excited to meet up with Natasha. She always seems to comes along with some great piece of information like where the best green smoothies are from, or how I can sort out my indoor plant problem, or a story from an interesting article she read last night… (god knows where she gets the time to absorb all of these insightful tips).
It’s hard to sort of pin down exactly what it is that Natasha does, there are moments of graphic and web design, brand identity, photography and interior styling. She has that eagle-eye too, sharp on details that no one else sees, cares for, or even notices. She prefers a refined aesthetic, one that echoes throughout her wardrobe, her work and her home.
Coming back to work this year Natasha greeted me with stories and images of her time spent in an eco-bach. Eco-bach? Where do I sign up? So here I am again listening to her wonderful stories, oo-ing and ah-ing over her beautiful images, and just soaking it all in, but this time I managed to get her share her summer moments on Anyonegirl!
Enjoy!
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– Where in the world has your best summer memory taken place?
Castlepoint, New Zealand. A bunch of friends and I went camping there almost on a whim. Nothing glamorous, just eating sausages straight from the cooker and drinking luke warm chilli-bin beer, but it ended up being the most gleeful long weekend. Our campsite was about 100 metres from the beach, so it was perfect for spontaneously running into the ocean.
– Where did you spending your summer break this year?
I spent an amazing week in a huge eco-bach in Mikmiki (just outside of Masterson). The house is made from straw bales and has an endearingly wabi-sabi aesthetic, nothing inside it is perfectly straight and every surface has amazing textures.
– Any favourite spots you can mention around where you live?
I’ve just moved to a new house which is right between Grey Lynn and Ponsonby shops, so I’m honestly just so spoiled for choice!
Food wise, Ariki (on Ariki St) and does dangerously good milkshakes, especially the dark chocolate. Conch on Ponsonby Road has a newish courtyard, which is perfect for sunny lunches and is quite understated, which can be a bit of a nice break sometimes for such a heavily-styled area. For coffee there’s really no substitute for Good One on Douglas St.
There are lots of lovely little beaches nearby, but when the sun gets too much the Grey Lynn park is an ideal reading spot, with lots of leafy trees for dappled light (the best kind!).
I’ve also been loving Auckland’s outdoor movies, both at Silo and there’s also some good ones to be found here too: www.moviesinparks.co.nz. It’s really nice to be part of this sudden pop-up community of blankets and deck chairs for an evening.
Also, new pot plants season! King’s Plant Barn in St Lukes is a favourite.
– What does the word ‘summer’ instantly make you think of?
A sense of renewal, of everyday things being suddenly fresh and new once more.
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