Having travelled extensively locally and internationally, balancing business with leisure has been the key to Christine Sharma's busy year. The managing director of Ruby visited the United States in September, opened a new Ruby boutique in Christchurch's Merivale in November and, last week, went "off the grid" to walk the Routeburn Track. Over summer, time will be spent relaxing with her family at their bach at Whiritoa beach in Coromandel. "We stayed with friends who had a bach at Whiritoa 25 years ago and have been going ever since. It's a special spot where our family has grown up.
"I find the beach is the perfect place to spend quality time in a relaxed environment. I'm also set on improving my stand-up paddleboarding skills.
The best thing about our bach is that there are no timetables and the choices are limitless with activities for all times of the day and night ...
from walks, swims, entertaining with close friends, fishing, cooking and golf to swimming in the moonlight. I love having an ocean beach but also a freshwater lagoon to enjoy.
This is our second bach in Whiritoa. We built it three years ago and it is designed for [my partner] Vere and I to retreat to regularly. It is one level, which has decks both sides to be able to escape the changeable weather we have here. It has been designed to be small enough for the two of us but can open up in many parts to accommodate everyone so that we all have space when longer periods of time are spent as a bigger family. With five kids and all of their friends, it does get very hectic. While the bach has all of the mod-cons, to keep chores to a minimum, it is simple in its form.
My whole plan is to not pack much to take at all. I like to keep my summer holiday as simple as possible. I have it set up so that I have all the basics there. I have a lot of old favourite items of clothing there that my girls love going through - even my Dachet denim overalls from the 80s still get an airing down there.
It's hard to choose just a few things that I love most about summer. I love the freedom of no routine, long evenings spent sitting on the sand dunes outside our bach at the end of the day watching the colours change, early morning walks along the coast and all of the delicious fresh berries from a local Coromandel orchard.
How do I dress over summer? Comfort is key. Cotton kaftans - I have a few favourites from India. Sunglasses, slides, and I try to steer clear of black.
Holiday beauty tips? Before Christmas I always head to Acajou for a manicure, pedicure and eyelash tint. I love not having to wear mascara at the beach. At the beach, tinted sunscreen is on from the moment I wake up. We really have to protect our skin from the harsh sun."
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