Annette Moore from Jems of Remuera

If you’ve wandered into Jems of Remuera attracted by all the glitter and shine of estate jewellery, vintage silver, glorious mirrors and the lustre of antique furniture, then you have met Annette. She is the delightful lady behind the counter whose unobtrusive help will ensure you find what you are looking for.

Annette and John Lee, the owner of Jems of Remuera

Annette gazing at her favourite area of the shop - the jewellery

Annette’s favourite area of the shop is the jewellery section and I don’t blame her! Behind sparkling glass cases are an incredible array of antique rings, necklaces, broaches, earrings and bracelets. If you have someone who is hard to buy for, this shop is a good place to start. I bought both my son’s and his girlfriend’s 21^st birthday presents here not long ago and they were a huge success.
Over the Christmas period, Annette was left in sole charge by her boss, John, who took a well-earned rest in Hawaii, and she is proud to say that she single-handedly made a very important sale.

More beautiful objects for sale in Jems of Remuera

She loves working in Remuera because of the community feeling and has come to know her customers well. She shops here and most days pops across to the Robert Harris Cafe for lunch.
Annette has an air of quiet gentleness and I wasn’t surprised to hear that her favourite movie is Shakespeare in Love – a historical romance. In fact the last book she read was Philippa Gregory’s The Lady of the Rivers – again a historical romance. How perfect that she works surrounded by the beautiful antiques that would be found in the eras she enjoys so much.
Annette is a woman who always has a quick and easy smile for everyone. Her New Year’s resolution this year is to enjoy every day and not take life for granted. We should all take a page from her book.

If you wish to learn a little more about Jems of Remuera, please click here for their website. But even better, drop in at 346 Remuera Road while you are passing and meet Annette.

Weird and Wonderful Hotels

If you have a love of travel but are tired of the same old, same old, try out some of these wacky hotels around the world. And these are only a sampling - see budgettravel.com for more.

Airplane Suite in the Netherlands - (Courtesy Hotel Ilyushin)

The Bedroom (Courtesy of Hotel Ilyushin)

The Lounge (Courtesy of Hotel Ilyushin)

Birds Nest Hotel - Outside (Peter Lundstrom, WDO - www.treehotel.se)

Birds Nest Hotel - Inside (Peter Lundstrom, WDO - www.treehotel.se)

Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland near the North Pole (Courtesy Hotel Kakslauttanen)

Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland near the North Pole (Courtesy Hotel Kakslauttanen)

Palacio de Sal in Bolivia - completely made of salt - Bedroom (Courtesy Palacio de Sal )

Palacio de Sal in Bolivia - Lounge (Courtesy Palacio de Sal )

Palacio de Sal in Bolivia - completely made of salt - Pool (Courtesy Palacio de Sal )

Seaventures Rig Resort - a converted oil rig in Malaysia over a reef (Courtesy Seaventures Rig Resort)

Seaventures Rig Resort - Bedroom (Courtesy Seaventures Rig Resort)

Seaventures Rig Resort - Guests are lowered by lift into the sea to view the sea life (Courtesy Seaventures Rig Resort)

Gorgeous Home in Arney Crescent, Remuera

From our selection of properties on the market, I have chosen a very special 4-5 bedroom house to blog about. This is a home to suit almost anyone whether you are a couple and need space or a family. The quality is undeniable but the feeling of peace, the privacy, the security, the all day sun and the amazing views are what lift this home far beyond the ordinary. Let me show you some photos to explain what I mean.

Now that summer is finally here, I can just see myself in this home, basking in the sun by the pool, drink in hand. If you want that to be you, click here to go through to the property listing on our website for more information and get in touch with us for a viewing. We are available right through the holiday period.

Santa's House in Remuera

Santa is visiting us here in Remuera every Saturday 11am - 1pm until Christmas. To find him, wander around to the Village Green and you will spot his very own special grotto outside the divine Poppies Book Shop.

ALBERT EINSTEIN'S RIDDLE

ARE YOU IN THE TOP 2% OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD? SOLVE THE RIDDLE AND FIND OUT.   There are no tricks, just pure logic, so good luck and don't give up.

1. In a street there are five houses, painted five different colours.
2. In each house lives a person of different nationality
3. These five homeowners each drink a different kind of beverage, smoke different brand of cigar and keep a different pet.

THE QUESTION: WHO OWNS THE FISH?

HINTS
1. The Brit lives in a red house.
2. The Swede keeps dogs as pets.
3. The Dane drinks tea.
4. The Green house is next to, and on the left of the White house.
5. The owner of the Green house drinks coffee.
6. The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.
7. The owner of the Yellow house smokes Dunhill.
8. The man living in the centre house drinks milk.
9. The Norwegian lives in the first house.
10. The man who smokes Blends lives next to the one who keeps cats.
11. The man who keeps horses lives next to the man who smokes Dunhill.
12. The man who smokes Blue Master drinks beer.
13. The German smokes Prince.
14. The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.
15. The man who smokes Blends has a neighbour who drinks water.

ALBERT EINSTEIN WROTE THIS RIDDLE EARLY DURING THE 19th CENTURY. HE SAID THAT 98% OF THE WORLD POPULATION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SOLVE IT.
ARE YOU IN THE 2% WHO COULD?

Beautify the Village Green Function

Last night the Remuera Business Association held a function to publicise their beautification of the Remuera Village Green campaign. Out on the green at 6pm, they auctioned benches, coffee tables and bricks for the paving. Those who purchased an item at the auction will have their name on it as a thank you for the sometimes substantial contribution to this project. We have purchased a coffee table.

The evening seemed to be a huge success with much excitement during the auction and lovely nibbles served with copious amounts of liquid refreshment.

A big thank you to the Remuera Business Association and in particular to the manager, Laura Carr and also to Megan Jaffe and Hayden Broadbelt of Ray White who ran the auction.

The Auction

Rashmi Naran (P10); Jayne O'Reilly (Westpac): Kerryn McCormick (Westpac Manager)

Suzie Cox (Ray White) and Laura Carr (Remuera Business Association Manager) with us, Terry and Diana King, in the background.

Apres auction with the last of the evening sun blessing us with its presence

Laura Carr, Hayden Broadbelt (Principal Ray White Stonefields) and Megan Jaffe (Director Ray White Remuera)

Jane Sheetz (P10) serving drinks

NZ Herald Editorial - 45 Portland Road, Remuera

The New Zealand Herald did a fantastic editorial on 45 Portland Rd last Saturday. If you missed it, click here for a link through to the article.