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January 08, 2013
It’s that time of year when the post holiday blues hits and your summer getaway seems all but a distant memory. You know the drill – create those resolutions, they will stick this year, right? We all have the best of intentions, but in reality it’s hard enough trying to get back in the zone of the 9 to 5 (or later!) without the challenge of sticking to various habit changing goals and resolutions. So we have created a quick guide on how to make the most of the New Year without longing for the holidays (too much!). Update/add to your work wardrobe – Treat yourself to a few new pieces to update your wardrobe and get excited about dressing up for work. A new blazer or pair of heels can easily make your everyday blouse/skirt combination look updated. Try mixing up the look with new statement jewellery, experiment with new prints, colours and textures – be brave! Plan your next holiday – Your week long excursion to the bach might be out of the question for now but ensuring you make the most of the summer days while they’re here will keep you in the holiday mood for longer. Try taking a Friday or two off to give yourself a long weekend, drive out of the city and spend the day somewhere else - eating, shopping and seeing the sights. A change in scenery can be a great way to take a break from the repetitive nature of a work week. If days off aren’t an option – enjoy the evening sunshine by going to the beach or park for a picnic dinner. Pretty up your workspace – Your workspace can affect your mood and can often descend quickly into chaos (organised chaos some may say) of papers and coffee cups. So take a trip  to your favourite stationary store and buy yourself a new file organiser, diary or assortment of cute pens. Not only is this cheap and cheerful but it actually should make you more productive! Focus on the positive – Your day job doesn’t have to be a drag, take this chance to pursue projects you didn’t have time for last year. Push yourself to further your development at your job, learn new things and make changes that will help you to enjoy and look forward to coming to work each day. Make goals that are easy to check off and give you that sense of achievement. Image source

It’s that time of year when the post holiday blues hits and your summer getaway seems all but a distant memory. You know the drill – create those resolutions, they will stick this year, right? We all have the best of intentions, but in reality it’s hard enough trying to get back in the zone of the 9 to 5 (or later!) without the challenge of sticking to various habit changing goals and resolutions. So we have created a quick guide on how to make the most of the New Year without longing for the holidays (too much!).

  1. Update/add to your work wardrobe – Treat yourself to a few new pieces to update your wardrobe and get excited about dressing up for work. A new blazer or pair of heels can easily make your everyday blouse/skirt combination look updated. Try mixing up the look with new statement jewellery, experiment with new prints, colours and textures – be brave!
  2. Plan your next holiday – Your week long excursion to the bach might be out of the question for now but ensuring you make the most of the summer days while they’re here will keep you in the holiday mood for longer. Try taking a Friday or two off to give yourself a long weekend, drive out of the city and spend the day somewhere else - eating, shopping and seeing the sights. A change in scenery can be a great way to take a break from the repetitive nature of a work week. If days off aren’t an option – enjoy the evening sunshine by going to the beach or park for a picnic dinner.
  3. Pretty up your workspace – Your workspace can affect your mood and can often descend quickly into chaos (organised chaos some may say) of papers and coffee cups. So take a trip  to your favourite stationary store and buy yourself a new file organiser, diary or assortment of cute pens. Not only is this cheap and cheerful but it actually should make you more productive!
  4. Focus on the positive – Your day job doesn’t have to be a drag, take this chance to pursue projects you didn’t have time for last year. Push yourself to further your development at your job, learn new things and make changes that will help you to enjoy and look forward to coming to work each day. Make goals that are easy to check off and give you that sense of achievement.

Image source

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December 18, 2012

Max Loves… Christmas Wrapping

It’s the final countdown to Christmas and you’ve hopefully got all your present purchased and primed for wrapping. We think half the fun of giving presents is the wrapping and adding your own personal touch to the gift – here are a few of our favourite Christmas wrapping ideas…

Super cute and cost effective, using brown paper to wrap presents is in style again this year. Pretty it up with some colourful ribbon or a strip of coloured Christmas paper.

Try cutting out old festive greeting cards to create monogram labelled presents – a new take on the classic gift tag.


Give a gift with a gift! Add a candy cane or an ornament to the bow of a present.

Don’t forget you can download our Christmas banner and gift tags too! Or for more inspiration check out our Pinterest Christmas Board.

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December 18, 2012

Max Loves… Christmas Lights

There’s something so magical about walking down streets lined with houses adorned with Christmas lights, it’s the perfect summer evening outing and we’re lucky enough in the southern hemisphere to have balmy warm weather during the festive season.  So maybe you’re better off swapping your hot chocolate for an ice cream and taking a stroll down some of your local streets. Our favourite in the office has to be Franklin Road located in central Auckland where the whole street gets in on the action and really becomes a hub of festivities. We also found this nifty website that lists must-see decorated houses from all around the country – Light up Christmas.

Another favourite has to be the Telecom Christmas Tree’s – located in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch these huge light up attractions create the perfect location for a twilight picnic or simply hanging out in the bean bags around the base of the tree. There are even phone booths to call Santa – and you’re never too old to make a wish! For more information check out their website.

Image Credit: 1 2 3 4

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December 18, 2012

Max Loves… Good Deeds

Christmas and the holiday season is a busy time for everyone, and a time when a lot of families and people in the community are in need of a little help.

We believe performing even the smallest of good deeds can make a difference…

So here are 4 ways to give back at Christmas time:

  1. City Mission or Salvation Army – Give a donation of food, clothing, toys or money to one of your local shelters. Christmas time is when these vital services are under the most pressure so donations are essential to keep them running smoothly.
  2. Volunteer your time – whether it is helping out an elderly neighbour or inviting a friend in need over for a lovely dinner. Sometimes simple acts of kindness can mean the most.
  3. Gifts that grow – This great initiative set up by ChildFund allows you to purchase an item for a person or community affected by poverty overseas in the name of a person you wish to gift to at Christmas. There is a large range of items available for purchase –  ranging from seeds to camels!
  4. Create an initiative in your workplace, school or community – choose a cause which you feel passionate about and rally a group together. Here at Max HO we are running a toy drive to collect gifts for children in need on Christmas day. We collected quite the loot last year so are looking forward to seeing if we can beat it this time! (see above photo).
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December 02, 2012
Max Loves… Cupcakes and Cashmere One of our most recent favorite bloggers has to be Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere. Her blog features an amazing collection of posts full of fashion, lifestyle and beauty advice. Emily has a great style that is preppy-casual but she always manages to add a bit of glam whether it be a statement necklace or a pair of bright shoes. She has the ability to work a wardrobe of classics into a vast array of outfits with the addition of fashion forward pieces which keep her looking on trend and super chic! One of the girls in the office purchased a copy of her recently released book and we have all been pawing over its glossy pages and bookmarking our next glamourous projects - “Cupcakes and Cashmere is the must-have guide for those looking to establish their own sense of style, organize and decorate their home, or throw an easy and stylish party. Organized by season, the book expands on Schuman’s blog by including DIY projects, organization tips, party-planning ideas, beauty how-tos, and seasonal recipes”   Be sure to check out the blog and the book.   Image credit

Max Loves… Cupcakes and Cashmere

One of our most recent favorite bloggers has to be Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere. Her blog features an amazing collection of posts full of fashion, lifestyle and beauty advice. Emily has a great style that is preppy-casual but she always manages to add a bit of glam whether it be a statement necklace or a pair of bright shoes. She has the ability to work a wardrobe of classics into a vast array of outfits with the addition of fashion forward pieces which keep her looking on trend and super chic!


One of the girls in the office purchased a copy of her recently released book and we have all been pawing over its glossy pages and bookmarking our next glamourous projects - “Cupcakes and Cashmere is the must-have guide for those looking to establish their own sense of style, organize and decorate their home, or throw an easy and stylish party. Organized by season, the book expands on Schuman’s blog by including DIY projects, organization tips, party-planning ideas, beauty how-tos, and seasonal recipes”
 
Be sure to check out the blog and the book.
 
Image credit
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November 21, 2012
Max Loves… Sample Bar The hippest thing in online shopping has now landed in NZ, for a long time we have been lusting over the amazing subscription services overseas for beauty, clothing and accessories such as Birchbox, JewelMint and Little Black Bag. Now NZ’s answer to this popular trend - Sample Bar is here! Sample Bar offers a subscription service for which you pay $25 per month to receive a “Glam Pack” filled with the hottest holy grail beauty products. We love that this service allows any beauty junkie to try out the latest and greatest beauty products on the market here and abroad - and I mean who wouldn’t like to receive a bow adorned present delivered to your door each month! Each Glam Pack arrives around mid month and contains products related to a certain theme, this month’s was “Glow” and was all about getting you set for the hot summer ahead, the girls at HO were lucky enough to get their hands on one and this was what was inside… Trilogy Instant Bronzing Gel Lush Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner (Max Girls’ personal fav – think hair conditioner but for your skin!) Savoir Faire Mini Lipstick  Marvis Toothpaste Bump Eraser (we have heard amazing things!) All products will also available in Sample Bar’s Glam Store if you missed out this month.

Max Loves… Sample Bar

The hippest thing in online shopping has now landed in NZ, for a long time we have been lusting over the amazing subscription services overseas for beauty, clothing and accessories such as Birchbox, JewelMint and Little Black Bag. Now NZ’s answer to this popular trend - Sample Bar is here!

Sample Bar offers a subscription service for which you pay $25 per month to receive a “Glam Pack” filled with the hottest holy grail beauty products. We love that this service allows any beauty junkie to try out the latest and greatest beauty products on the market here and abroad - and I mean who wouldn’t like to receive a bow adorned present delivered to your door each month!

Each Glam Pack arrives around mid month and contains products related to a certain theme, this month’s was “Glow” and was all about getting you set for the hot summer ahead, the girls at HO were lucky enough to get their hands on one and this was what was inside…

  • Trilogy Instant Bronzing Gel
  • Lush Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner (Max Girls’ personal fav – think hair conditioner but for your skin!)
  • Savoir Faire Mini Lipstick 
  • Marvis Toothpaste
  • Bump Eraser (we have heard amazing things!)

All products will also available in Sample Bar’s Glam Store if you missed out this month.

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November 12, 2012
Max Loves… Dress for Success Dress for Success is a non-profit organisation which aims to encourage and empower women entering or re-entering the workforce. They provide styling services as well as career and interview advice, and receive continued mentoring once a job is found. We think all women deserve to look and feel their best everyday and especially when embarking on the challenge of job hunting which can be incredibly daunting!  “At Dress for Success Auckland, our personal dressers will help you choose an outfit for the interview that’s yours to keep and they’ll share tips to help you succeed. It’ll boost your confidence and you’ll look the part too.” Max has made donations of clothes and shoes to this great organisation in the past and if you’d like to donate check out their website to find out how. For more information check them out on Facebook.

Max Loves… Dress for Success

Dress for Success is a non-profit organisation which aims to encourage and empower women entering or re-entering the workforce. They provide styling services as well as career and interview advice, and receive continued mentoring once a job is found. We think all women deserve to look and feel their best everyday and especially when embarking on the challenge of job hunting which can be incredibly daunting!

 “At Dress for Success Auckland, our personal dressers will help you choose an outfit for the interview that’s yours to keep and they’ll share tips to help you succeed. It’ll boost your confidence and you’ll look the part too.”

Max has made donations of clothes and shoes to this great organisation in the past and if you’d like to donate check out their website to find out how.

For more information check them out on Facebook.

Tags: charity dress for success

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November 12, 2012
Max Loves… State Beach Series Although we are enjoying the longer,  warmer days and the fact that we have been able to hang up our coats until next winter, it means that it is now that time of the year when you realise that Summer is just around the corner and it is about time to get in shape for swimsuit season! Well we have discovered a social and fun way to get fit on a weekly basis that is suitable for any level of fitness. The State Beach Series is a unique fitness event which takes place on Auckland’s picturesque Takapuna Beach. It runs over seventeen Tuesday evenings each Summer and offers something for the whole family. Choose one event to participate in on the night from disciplines including Walking, Running, Swimming, Stand-Up Paddling or Ski Paddling. Get fit and have fun – visit www.beachseries.co.nz

Max Loves… State Beach Series

Although we are enjoying the longer,  warmer days and the fact that we have been able to hang up our coats until next winter, it means that it is now that time of the year when you realise that Summer is just around the corner and it is about time to get in shape for swimsuit season!

Well we have discovered a social and fun way to get fit on a weekly basis that is suitable for any level of fitness. The State Beach Series is a unique fitness event which takes place on Auckland’s picturesque Takapuna Beach. It runs over seventeen Tuesday evenings each Summer and offers something for the whole family. Choose one event to participate in on the night from disciplines including Walking, Running, Swimming, Stand-Up Paddling or Ski Paddling. Get fit and have fun – visit www.beachseries.co.nz

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November 12, 2012
Max Loves… Supergoop! So summer is approaching and we are eagerly awaiting the day when we can throw on our togs and head to the beach. At Max we are strong advocates for being sun safe and making the most of the awesome tanning products out there without frying our skin - be sure to check out our blog post on how to get that perfect faux glow! So to our delight we recently discovered Supergoop!, a high SPF (35+) sunscreen that has none of those nasties chemicals in it and also has a great consistency that won’t leave you sticky! Our favourite of these products has to be the Sunscreen Swipes, these are essential for the beach! You  know that feeling of unintentionally exfoliating your leg with sand while attempting to apply more sunscreen… well no more! - the wipes double as a way to get sand off your skin aswell as applying more sunscreen, perfect! All Supergoop! products available from mybeautystore.com

Max Loves… Supergoop!

So summer is approaching and we are eagerly awaiting the day when we can throw on our togs and head to the beach. At Max we are strong advocates for being sun safe and making the most of the awesome tanning products out there without frying our skin - be sure to check out our blog post on how to get that perfect faux glow!

So to our delight we recently discovered Supergoop!, a high SPF (35+) sunscreen that has none of those nasties chemicals in it and also has a great consistency that won’t leave you sticky!

Our favourite of these products has to be the Sunscreen Swipes, these are essential for the beach! You  know that feeling of unintentionally exfoliating your leg with sand while attempting to apply more sunscreen… well no more! - the wipes double as a way to get sand off your skin aswell as applying more sunscreen, perfect!

All Supergoop! products available from mybeautystore.com

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November 12, 2012
Max Loves… Delish Cupcakes The Max staff have always loved cupcakes and recently discovered the amazing Delish Cupcakes nestled in the suburbs of Auckland’s North Shore. This cute café was set up by two best friends, Kathryn Stoddart and Colleen Holden, who decided to turn their passion for cupcakes into an incredible business which includes the café, many online orders and even cupcakes classes where they can share their creations with like minded cupcake lovers! Check out their website here “Like” Delish on Facebook here

Max Loves… Delish Cupcakes

The Max staff have always loved cupcakes and recently discovered the amazing Delish Cupcakes nestled in the suburbs of Auckland’s North Shore. This cute café was set up by two best friends, Kathryn Stoddart and Colleen Holden, who decided to turn their passion for cupcakes into an incredible business which includes the café, many online orders and even cupcakes classes where they can share their creations with like minded cupcake lovers!

Check out their website here

“Like” Delish on Facebook here