Woodward Optical Ltd

25/02/2026

FRAME OF THE WEEK!

After that big and chunky look without the weight? Souda could be the frame for you. Handmade in Berlin, Souda is 3D printed with Mylon which is a light and durable high tech material. The Souda rocks a patented screwless hinge design (same same but different to their stainless steel screwless hinge design).
The Souda really is the best of all worlds with it's strong presence and lightweight finish.

Come in and check out the full Mykita collection.

Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5pm
Sat 9:30am - 12:30pm

https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/
https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/product/mykita-souda/
https://mykita.com/

19/02/2026

Aro Bakery Since 1998 bringing the heat this week with their traditional hot cross buns.

PREPARATION:
Janeen was in charge of the toaster this week so there were zero squishies and excellent toasty finish. Janeen rhymes with Queen. Everyone had butter except Rachael who stuck with the DF spread.

TASTE:
Fruit was doled out sparingly, so the peel wasn't obvious. The glaze was quite sweet.

TEXTURE:
Like my cats, they are delightfully dense.

PRICE:
$17.40 a pk = $2.90 ea

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
Yum - a great accompaniment to a long black and office banter.

18/02/2026

FRAME OF THE WEEK!

Exalto comes in with a sophisticated shape from their 98 collection. The 98P284 is an amalgamation of wood & aluminum frame front with stainless steel temples for a light and strong frame. The frame front is decorated with horizontal wood collages creating an elegant, brushed matte finish.
Come in and check out the full Exalto collection.

Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5pm
Sat 9:30am - 12:30pm

https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/
https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/product/exalto-98p28/
https://www.exalto.fr/en/

17/02/2026

Ladybird Cakes has looked after us good and proper with this bounty of Biscoff and Orange Chocolate cupcakes.

12/02/2026

Local cafes are on the board!
Dough have their Hot Cross Buns available individually or as 6 packs. There's only one flavour which makes a refreshing change from the smorgasbord of oddity available at the supermarkets.

PREPARATION:
Everyone - toasted with butter (Rachael realised too late but figured it'd be a problem shared and charged on).

TASTE:
It is a truly decent traditional hot cross bun. A tasty balance of flavours and exceptional amount of fruit. It does have peel which can be a dealbreaker for some wussies.

TEXTURE:
Even if you toast the absolute life out of it **cough Jim cough**, this bun has a very decent texture. Fluffy, almost buttery.

PRICE:
Individual $4.50
6 pack $18 - $3.00 ea

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
Game is on other cafes! Dough has come in hot with a delicious traditional hot cross bun which is noticeably bigger in size than the ones we've been necking over the last couple of weeks. Great price. Would love to have another with some raspberry jam. Fight me.

11/02/2026

FRAME OF THE WEEK!!!

This week I bring you the brazen Akoni Eyewear cat-eye, Sagitta. Full acetate frame with titanium gold accents, we have the Sagitta in N**e Grey Swirl and Burgundy Gold.
It's got the shape.
It's got the colour.
It's got the blingy little accents.
It's a frame that my late grandma would say "Leaves nothing to chance."

Come in and check out the full Akoni range!

MON-FRI 8:30am - 5pm
SAT 9:30am - 12:30pm

https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/
https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/product/akoni-sagitta-3/
https://akoni.com/products/sagitta

05/02/2026

04/02/2026

As promised, we went for a traditional hot cross bun this week. New World's Bakery Hot Cross Fruit Spice Buns 6 pack is under the spotlight.

PREPARATION:
Fraser - room temperature with no butter. Ate it like an apple. I listen to enough true crime podcasts to recognise this as total psychopath behaviour. 😑
Rachael - room temperature with DF spread
Janeen - toasted with butter
Jim - microwaved with butter

TASTE:
Close your eyes, take a bite, it's a hot cross bun. Pretty light on the fruit and spices though. Leaves a lot to be desired.

TEXTURE:
Didn't register good, bad or otherwise so it's a win I suppose.

PRICE:
$6.29 / 6pk = $1.05 each

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
If this hot cross bun was a sausage, you'd find them outside the local hardware store where there's more satisfaction in your gold shinies helping the kids' cricket club than any culinary fulfillment. It's a hot cross bun, does what it says on the tin. Won't impress but also won't offend.

04/02/2026

FRAME OF THE WEEK!!!

The Lone Wolf comes in with its sleek elegance. Part of the Classic Collection, The Lone Wolf is not only the coolest named frame, but also the best coloured with the Matte Black and Rose Gold. 100% stainless steel and with trademark ic!Berlin screwless hinge design, The Lone Wolf (I'll keep saying it) is an awesome choice for the minimalist within.

MON-FRI 8:30am - 5pm (except for tomorrow as we're closed Waitangi Day)
SAT 9:30am-12:30pm (usually but closed this weekend).

https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/product/
https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/product/ic-berlin-the-lone-wolf-l/
https://www.ic-berlin.com/glasses/the-lone-wolf-large/

02/02/2026

JANEEN & RACHAEL SIDEQUEST.
1 chip = meh but interesting aftertaste
2-4 chips = yuck yuck no

29/01/2026

This week we had a guest judge as one of our reps was in store when the buns got busted open.
Still hitting up Woolworths with their Hot Cross Buns Brioche Chocolate. But Rachael! Didn't you say last week you're lactose intolerant?!
Yes, yes I am.
But I will fall on the dairy laden sword in the name of science. Let it not be said that Woodward Optical lacks integrity!

PREPARATION:
Jim & Rachael - toasted with nutellex (Jim didn't see the actual butter sitting next to it...lol)
Janeen, Fraser & Rep Rosalie - toasted with butter

TASTE:
Some of us really enjoyed these ones. The chocolate was light so there wasn't a chance of the bun getting sickly. Others found them lacking in flavour.

TEXTURE:
The fluffy consistency of the buns held true even when toasted. After the GF BS of last week, it was a pure delight.

PRICE:
$6.80 per pack (on special) - 1.13ea

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
Really yum but still lacked the proper hot cross bun flavouring. As a sweet baked good alternative, we were divided between this one and the biscoff filled buns. Depending on availability, next week we will most likely veer away from the "show off" buns and hit some more of the no nonsense options.

28/01/2026

FRAME OF THE WEEK!!!

The latest frame shapes and styles are taking me back to the 90s. Some are gross and won't find residence in our hallowed drawers (looking at you shield sunglasses).

But others are a delightful return, especially the narrow and horizontal oval. Gary Oldman rocked this shape with blue tinted pince nez (pinch bridge) glasses in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992); then Laurence Fishburne's Morpheus finished his outfit with mirrored versions of the same shape in The Matrix (1999).

That's right. The Matrix came out in 1999.

27 years ago.

27. Years. Ago.

But I digress.

LGR Teos absolutely rocks this shape but sticks with regular spectacle traditions by having temples and not asking the wearer to have them pinching their nose.
Come in and check out the Teos in Havana Bordeaux or Black and we can chat about who wore it better (both gents are wearing snazzy suits admittedly).

MON-FRI 8:30am - 5pm
SAT 9:30am - 12:30pm

https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/
https://woodwardoptical.co.nz/product/lgr-teos-2/
https://www.lgrworld.com/en/product/teos-black-01/