Note #09: Business or pleasure?
Or both?
If you’re new here, this is Notes on Sensuality, an exploration into everyday sensuality led by Maxine Kelly of Underlena and PATINA.
Join us in our pursuit of everyday sensuality.
Next Friday I’m traveling to Auckland for an Underlena pop-up event, hosted by my wonderful friend Anna who is the founder of Francie (maker of exquisite, NZ and Australian made knitwear).
I’ve characteristically stacked my schedule while I’m there. I fly in early morning Friday, have a coffee date scheduled with a friend (she doesn’t know yet that we are doing this while I unpack our collection at Francie) open at 10.30am, then have a full day at the store before dinner with Anna.
The rest of the weekend is planned with the same cadence, squeezing work meetings in between opening hours, and bookending my days with people I love.
We are taught that sensuality looks a certain way — like a sexual goddess, long hair, gyrating hips, doe-eyes in the mirror. Hours to wake up, days spaced out, ease in every step. And maybe sometimes it can look that way for people, but sometimes sensuality can be also just be found in the back-to-back of a work trip: feeling inspired by people you haven’t seen in ages, the rush of being in a rush, the thrill of putting your feet up at the end of the day with a crisp glass of wine.
To me, sensuality on a trip like this looks like:
Getting up early enough to have a coffee in bed before I start the day.
Wearing clothing that makes me feel like myself. Great denim, a good shirt (E Nolan) and excellent underwear (PATINA, obviously. I’ll pull out the sets for a trip).
Booking one lush dinner. This time around I’ve booked at Apéro on Karangahape Road.
Making time for close friends and family, even if it means stacking them into one hang. There is nothing like people who’ve known you forever to get a hit of deep relaxation.
Taking my time with our customers — really being present and connecting when they visit. It’s such a privilege to do what I do, and I take my enjoyment of it very seriously!
I’ve always dreamed of having time to fit in a solo sauna somewhere like Hana, alas, I haven’t quite figured that out yet.
If you’re in town, come pay me a visit and tell me what has been inspiring sensuality for you lately!