OMAHA BEACH

OMAHA

JULIA FORD Head of design & sales, Kathryn Wilson My husband’s family has a lovely little bach at the original end of Omaha, a stone’s throw from the water at the quieter end of the beach. It can be a little bit hectic over the Christmas holidays when the crowds move in, but as soon as you step onto that white sand, it’s paradise. We’ve made some great memories there with friends and family who also stay in the area, and with so many other incredible beaches nearby, you’re never short of something to do. I love that we can leave our city apartment in Auckland and be on the beach within the hour. We usually head up with our senior French bulldog Sydney; it’s truly our collective happy place and we just love seeing him come to life in the surf and walking along the shore, even if it’s just a short walk these days. If you follow the coastline around the cliffs surrounding Omaha Beach, there’s a tiny little bay called Pink Beach — named for its peachy-hued sand — that’s ideal for some chill time away from the crowds.

Some of my oldest friends also stay in this area in summer, which has led to lots of fun and harks back to a simpler time when we all lived in the same neighbourhood.

Where to eat: Sawmill Brewery. This spot never disappoints — it’s the perfect little pitstop between swims. What to wear: The MW by Kathryn Wilson ‘Zoe’ slides in khaki and the ‘Shelley’ slides in pink will go perfectly with my Sweepstake Winners graphicprinted silk and linen shirts and dresses, Gucci sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and the Kathryn Wilson ‘LouLou’ tote to complete the summery goodness. What to read or listen to: I’m an audiobook and podcast fanatic, so I’ve got the new David Sedaris offering A Carnival of Snackery Diaries ready to go. I’m hoping it’ll make the ultimate light holiday listening.