Pop the champers. It's time to get the party started with these festive party looks.

I like it when the name on a bottle gives me some kind of geographic indicator as to the origin or owner's connection to the wine. Here are three that shout their sense of place ...

Go for the spectacular beach views, stay for the superior Japanese cuisine.

Since the runaway success of her first record, Florence Welch's life has been a roller coaster ride. two years ago, she hit rock bottom. She talks to Ginny Dougary about living on the edge, touring and learning from her mistakes.

He was once famous for playing Shortland Street's sweet, hapless Dr Dodds, but Marton Csokas is now better known for his bad guy roles.

Does anyone else go into a cafe and panic buy? You'll be in one of those places, where everything is white and glowing, and suddenly a hipster waiter will appear...

Canvas editor Michele Crawshaw shares highlights from tomorrow's Canvas magazine.

Pendulous earrings are the life of the party.

Bill Manhire's new collection of stories includes a powerful essay on growing up with a father who liked a drink.

Food influenced by the culture of America's sunshine state is the attraction of a new eatery.

Dumped on Facebook by a friend? Me too, writes Laura Marcus, and it stings. Here she looks at online friendships and their effect on your self-esteem.

Jane Phare meets the fashionable foodies changing the way we eat.

La Fourchette is well worth a visit.

At 58, Dawn French is busier than ever. She talks to Lydia Jenkin about love the second time around, her body confidence, and the secrets she's spilling in her new one-woman show.

Get into the blue with a pair of jaunty swim shorts.

Customs St eatery pulls surprises out of its hat.

The food was, unfortunately, not as good as the view.

Alex Casey visits the alternate universe of soap opera Days of Our Lives, as it celebrates 50 years on television screens.

Photographer Jane Ussher has captured some of New Zealand's most beautiful church architecture in her new book, Worship. Here are some of those images.