Editor’s letter

If I could pass on a little travel tip: taking a break before the crunch of Christmas is upon us is brilliant. I’m just back from a week in Rarotonga and each lazy, blissful day stretched out for so long, I feel like I was away for a fortnight. Sun, sea and whanau – the ingredients for a perfect vacay. I’m so grateful.

I was refreshed and ready to get right back to work, but man, it’s a busy time of year! It’s only five weeks until Christmas – and I’m seriously not ready. How about you? We’ve been hectic here organising all our lovely festive shoots for the annual bumper issue next week, but in the back of my mind I’m starting to quietly panic about my lack of personal planning. To be honest, I don’t even know where we’re having Christmas this year! The family phone calls and list writing need to begin in earnest immediately.

This week’s Woman’s Day is a whopper, with our Best Dressed booklet celebrating 2019 red-carpet winners – and a few fashion fails! Our Style Director Leigh takes her celebrity frocks analysis very seriously and has dutifully kept a track of stars’ sartorial selections all year to collate her hot and not lists – and this is her best little magazine yet. Personally, I’m in love with Lucy Boynton’s whimsical and romantic style. Who’s your favourite?

It’s been a busy time for red carpets this week, with the E! People’s Choice Awards, Baby2Baby gala, premieres for TheCrown, Charlie’s Angels, LastChristmas and FrozenII– meaning I’ve been spoilt for choice for glam gowns and pics to fawn over.

But closer to home, Woman’sDay loves to celebrate our wonderful local talent, and we’ve been fizzing about the Vodafone NZ Music Awards (page 94) and the upcoming Huawei Mate30 Pro NZ Television Awards this week. I feel overwhelmed with emotion and pride when I see our stars celebrated for their amazing contribution to our culture. It’s a real buzz.

Take a deep breath before the silly season is well and truly here – and have a great week!