Recently I've been really loving to get to know my wonderful readers and watchers of The Residents even better.
Everyone who is a Residents champion is kind, intelligent and always makes me smile. I have enjoyed getting to know you so much I thought maybe you'd like to know a little bit about each other. So I decided to ask some questions on my Instagram Stories and seven wonderful people replied. As promised, here they are in black and white, on The Residents.
While there may be some perks to blogging, the best thing about it in my opinion is connections to people I admire, and to new friends like you. Yes, we might never have met, but sometimes it feels like we have! So, have a read below and see if you know any of these awesome residents of Wellington. Make sure you share on your Facebook if the mood strikes as well.
Introducing, Ali, Emily, Hollie, Lucy, Jessica, Jenny and Hilary!
"Be a good person, don't be a dick" - Ali
ALI
Location: Hataitai, Wellington
Job: Chef Lecturer at WelTec School of Hospitality on Cuba Street.
Why I love Wellington: It's like a small village. Everyone is connected somehow! I always run into someone I know when I'm out in Welly. People in Wellington are very warm, open and happy to give you their time. I love how cultured, artistic and creative the city is. There is always something going on in Wellington. It's a buzzing city.
Best Wellington Tip: Ditch the umbrella and have a good sturdy water resistant jacket with you at all times. You never know when the weather will turn here. When I moved to Wellington just over two years ago I decided to use an umbrella one day and it was torn to shreds. I got to work soaking wet. I learnt my lesson that day.
Best Life Tip: Always be nice. You will always go further in life if you're kind and considerate.
Favourite Eatery: I have two! For casual low key catchups I love Sweet Mothers Kitchen. The food is flavoursome and the atmosphere and staff and lovely. I love going there for coffee and a cake from the cabinet and playing a board game. My other favourite is Apache. The Vietnamese/French fusion restaurant on Wakefield street just around the corner from WelTec. I often take visitors from overseas here. The quality is outstanding. Fresh, full bodied flavours and delicious. A great restaurant to go to for sharing meals with friends.
Happiest When: Happiest when I'm in our garden and harvesting some epic vegetables that I've nurtured till they are ready to harvest. Being a chef I always get a thrill when I pick my own vegetables then cook with them.
"Quote To Live By: If it is to be, it’s up to me!" - Hilary
HILARY
Location: Mt. Vic, Wellington
Job: Graduate Policy Analyst
Fave Blog Post or Resident: #47,48,49 (Shut Up and Dance's Abby, Lesa and Claire)
Why I love Wellington: So many ice cream stores within walking distance of my flat.
Wellington Tip: Raincoat forever, umbrella never!
Life Tip: Life’s short - Eat dessert first
Favourite Eatery: Loretta’s
Happiest When: I’m cooking up a storm in the kitchen
“Above all be the heroine of your own life…” – Jenny (Nora Ephron)
JENNY
Location: The richly diverse and wonderful Newtown.
Job: I do Content Marketing at Method, an amazing company that make beautiful recycling bins for modern workplaces. I also have my own blog called Paperback Thrones where I write about arts and culture wherever I'm living. (www.paperbackthrones.co.uk)
Favourite Resident or Blog: It would genuinely have to be The Residents! I started reading it in preparation for my move from the U.K. and have remained a loyal reader. I love finding out about all the incredible Wellingtonians!
Why I love Wellington: I love its village vibe, and how even as a newbie you're always bumping into people you know. I love the greens of the hills, the blues of the water, and all of the colours that line every street. I love how you're never more than ten minutes from a beach, or five minutes from an amazing coffee shop or independent cafe. I love Wellington's bohemian flair alongside its naturist heart.
Wellington Tip: Try the homemade cherry soda at Crumpet, it's divine.
Favourite Eatery: I'd have to say Baobab in Newtown, it's got everything you could need and the food is delicious.
Happiest When: The sun’s shining on Wellington and I’m outside strolling somewhere. Preferably with a coffee in hand and the sound of the sea in the background.
“So just think about what you love and be prepared to work really really hard at it”
- Lucy
LUCY
Location: Lower Hutt
Job: Stand-up comedian
Fave Blog Post or Resident: So hard to pick one! Gen Fowler, Alice Brine, or Bailey McCormack
Why I love Wellington: Because it’s got an incredible arts community. Everyone knows each other and it’s like one big family.
Wellington Tip: Explore and don’t be afraid to chat with strangers!
Life Tip: Don’t spend too much time thinking or focusing on the negative.
Favourite Eatery: I’ve been loving Aunty Mena’s at the moment!
Happiest When: I love hanging out with my horse in Upper Hutt and getting out of the city for a bit. That being said I also love spending time with my closest friends in the city
"My quote to live by? Anything from Arrested Development.. too many to choose"
- Emily
EMILY
Location: I live in Kilbirnie (just 5 mins to the beach and it has the best Warehouse in town!)
Job: I work in Human Resources for a Government Department
Favourite Residents Blog: I really like the recent travel blogs, particularly Nelson and Wairarapa regions. I love to know whats on the doorstep.
Why I love Wellington: I moved here from Christchurch nearly 4 years ago, and I have never seen such a beautiful city! I love the vibe here, its creative, quirky, inclusive and there is always something going on. Also the BEST coffee.
Wellington Tip: Always expect wind. Dress accordingly.
Life Tip: Fake it til' you make it - this usually works.
Favourite Eatery: My local is Spruce Goose in Lyall Bay - it's always a winner. In the city, I love Southern Cross and Sweet Mothers Kitchen
Happiest When: I am cosy in bed and I get to sleep in. Bliss!
"Qué será, será" - Jessica
JESSICA
I have been living in Kelburn, Wellington for just over a year now and I am a Student at VUW studying Spanish and Education. However I also work in administration at Vic Uni.
Fave resident would have to be Cosmo from Karma Cola partially because I’m obsessed with their drinks and partially because of his great moustache ahaha.
I love Wellington because it is the perfect sized city for me, small enough that you always bump into friends yet big enough that there are new people to meet everywhere you go. Also being from Auckland, people here are so much kinder and friendly and the city has so much character.
My best Wellington tip is to have a good pair of walking shoes and a good raincoat because there is nothing worse than having to walk home in the rain with blisters up a massive hill.
Best life advice I can give (which I always tell my little sisters) is that you can’t control how others treat you but you can control how you treat others and that kindness and generosity are key. And also that you never forget a good piece of cake so always order dessert
Favourite place to eat in Wellington is a toss up between the lab Victoria which I can be found at every morning and camel grill on Dixon street which has the best kebabs and great service every single time.
I’m definitely at my happiest when I am travelling or when I am eating my mums home cooked food!
My quote to live by is so basic but ‘Qué será, será ’ is kind of how I try to live my life knowing that things have to happen for a reason even though I might not love it at the time.
"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear"
- Danika (Martin Luther King Jr)
DANIKA
Location: I work in the CBD but live in the Wairarapa.
Job: Programme Coordinator at WorkSafe NZ
Favourite Resident Blog Post: I have one of each. My favourite resident has been Hugo Grrrl. I think the profile on her was really genuine and interesting and gave voice to a lesser known side of the drag community. Also the post had really beautiful photos of her. She's so spunky!
My favourite blog post is the one about My Relationship With Alcohol. I think its really important to have the discussion because there is a major issue with alcohol in New Zealand that is fobbed off as culture. I've struggled with alcohol myself and also written about it so found it really relatable.
Why I love Wellington: I was born and raised in Wellington and have never felt the pull to live overseas. I think despite being compact, its a worldly place. The mix of being so close to ocean forests, rivers, mountains and then having such a glorious and high quality mix of bars, restaurants, art and fashion makes it somewhere everyone can enjoy. It's also really picturesque which means its always a delight to look at. The energy in Wellington feels positive as well.
Best Wellington Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Have a hairtie handy.
Best Life Tip: Slow Down. Everything is so fast these days that people only seem to stop because they crash through stress. You can only do what you can in one day. You can only carry so much stress. Give yourself an hour a day that is dedicated to doing something that makes you slow down. Listen to a podcast while doing nothing else, read a book, go for a walk, have a nap or zone out with Netflix.
Favourite Eatery: Ombra on Cuba. Every time I have been there I die and go to heaven because of the amazing flavours, textures, smells and combinations of food. Also, Coffee 32 on the Terrace does the best cheese scones.
Happiest When: I'm sharing food and drink with friends. It's always a beautiful sensory explosion.
"Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell not stuff to show"
- Hollie
HOLLIE
Location: Newtown
Job: Marketing Coordinator
Favourite Resident Blog Post: I'm also totally inspired by Elisa & the amazing work she has done starting Nisa Underwear. Super comfy underwear, that empowers refugee women. What's not to love?
Why I love Wellington: I love the fact its such a busy, fun city... yet within ten minutes you can be chilling at the beach or on a beautiful bush walk. It's so easy to have a healthy work/life balance living here.
Best Wellington Tip: Don't wear floaty dresses & short skirt on windy days.
Best Life Tip: "Comparison is the thief of Joy" I moved to Wellington less then two years ago from the UK, knowing only one person in this city. Whilst back home heaps of my friends were getting engaged or starting to settle down. It's hard sometimes, but try not to compare your life choices to anyone else & just do what makes you happy.
Favourite Eatery: The Botanist. I'm a vegetarian so being able to eat anything on the menu is such a treat! Also the staff are always super friendly and it has a really lovely vibe.
Happiest When: Heading off for a surf trip with my boyfriend in our van. One of our favourite places to visit is Castle Point, which we've already visited three times this year.
