So long 2010, Hello 2011

It's been nine months since I started this blog and while the blog was a way to document my "green" journey, much rewards have also been reaped. I truly recommend one to start a blog, with not the purpose of selling oneself but as an outlet where you can note your thoughts and share your discoveries. Whoever then comes across your blog, well that's just a bonus!

I was watching an interview with the The Script on Video Hits one Sunday morning, and was touched by the thought behind their new track 'For the first time'.

"Staying in is the new going out, when you don't have money you tend to connect to the things that are important to you, your friends, your family, you realize god we haven't done this in ages, you want to get out you know like twister or an old cheap bottle of wine and have fun in your own home, and we thought it's a great message for people to realize that although times are hard, there is a beautiful upside, you may have nothing, but in losing everything you realize that you're finding each other..." - The Script

...drinking old cheap bottles of wine
Sit and talking up all night
Doing things we haven't for a while
We're smiling but we're close to tears
Even after all these years
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting
For the first time...

While what one achieves is subjective, for myself I feel the changes I have made have been an achievement but I also know there is much more to be achieved. I look forward to 2011 and leave you with this gift from author of "The Art of Being Minimalist" Everett Bogue (click on the below image for the gift!)

This is my new year's resolution/2011 challenge. To be a testament to Mr Bogue's theory.

Ho eco Ho - Christmas 2010

While most of us hit the shops for the Boxing Day sales, I sit here and blog. I no longer have the urge to hit the sales and how better do I feel? Much better, as I am now in control of what I want and no longer am I tempted by the must buy now illusion. I buy when I want to and because I like it, and not because it's cheap or I want to be liked.

Moving forward, it's been refreshing to hear people making their own crafty goods to give as presents this Christmas but sadly I'm no craft whiz, I even have trouble cutting a straight line!

So for me this Christmas I did spend but I spent cautiously. For my 2 besties, one is London and the other thank heavenly in Melbourne, this is what I got them.

Being based in London, I purchased Em's gift from Eco Age, a UK eco online store. Previously I had pruchased from Love Eco, another UK eco online store but after coming across Eco Age I was bewitched. Eco Age has a glamour edge, with Colin Firth's other half being the creative director of this full-service one-stop-shop where people can find beauty, design, inspiration, ideas, advice, and apply concrete solutions for green living. For the team at Eco Age, the ECO answer is compelling: improvement without compromise.

What did I get Em? Well with London experiencing one of the coldest Winter since the 60s, a blanket made from recycled wool seemed quite appropriate.

For Ness in Melbourne, having known her for 20 years, we've given each other all sorts of gifts! Ness, a senior associate and has been working crazy hours these days. The poor thing, she can no longer can tell the difference between a weekday to a weekend, much less have time to do the grocery shopping. So I thought this year I would give her a hamper of wonderful local produce and organic delights! Should she need a quick feed or a sugar hit, she can be sure it's all good in all aspects. It had to be specially made, as Ness is allergic to nuts and seeds. One discovery I made during product selection was that Green & Black organic chocolate also comes in a gift pack/box. I like it, I like it a lot.

Happy Holidays y'all! Here's to great food, great friends and time with the family.

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Crazy times are these when we fight our way through the crowds to uphold tradition and wrap up the year. In constrast, I give you the soothing sounds of The Beautiful Girls that will weather any storm and let you take that much needed breather.

Download Triple J Live Music Podcast

"My mind is an echo chamber"

plus their 'like a version' track

here

Design a Space VS Major retailers

Why hello Summer, so glad you could join us? Do you hear the sarcasm? Should you be surprised? While the planet's heating up, we're also seeing abnormal weather patterns. Summer should have started 3 weeks ago but all we've experienced are flash floods and the occasional balmy nights. Nonetheless, my annual ritual to find the perfect Summer sandal was still on. I do luv Melissa shoes but being made from plastic it ain't so great in Summer. So I went on the search.

While wondering down Melbourne's famous laneways, I came cross Design a Space , a retail space whose aim is to provide high profile space for emerging Australian designers. I luv how it gives a platform for creative talent to showcase their passion the way they choose to, without succumbing to the pressures of major players. This is where I found my Summer sandals.

Admittedly, there's nothing really sustainable about these Jaci Bailey sandals, except that they're made from a natural fibre and that they will be my forever Summer shoes until they die (fingers crossed they last, well they ought to given the price I paid for them!). But I have this belief, that by supporting local designers who assumingly are small businesses, they are in a position to create and function sustainably. The catch 22 is that they might not have the funds to do so. But that's the challenge. To say it cost more to operate sustainably is a cop-out. As I see it, while large corporations have the money to implement a sustainable policy, the sad facts are that (1) it's rarely communicated to be truly effective, (2) it's a marketing grimick so as to keep up with the Jones and (3) employees don't care as at the end of the day they're just a name on the payroll. A small business on the hand, are in a stronger position to make a change and to see it through. Changing culture is difficult especially in a large context but changing it in a small controlled environment is promising. If you start your business "right" in the inital stages, you create a culture where there is an understanding on how it should be run. In larger organizations, what I've seen and this is not primarily on sustainability but with daily operations is the culture of "if it ain't broken, don't fix it". If it's already difficult to change this attitude for greater efficiency, imagine the challenge it must be to change attitude for sustainability.

Hence, I have faith in small businesses than in large corporations.

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Remember Beck and his "Loser" song? Well, described as a pop art collage of musical styles, this multi-instrumentalist has put a spin on Lykke Li's "Get Some" by giving it some Beck love.
Yes Beck has turned DJ. But then I play records, does that make me a DJ?!?!!

Listen and like it, then download it here

A Do Good Saturday in Melbourne

Saturday kicked off with brunch at Friends of Mine in Richmond. Without even tasting or viewing the menu, I could tell this place was a winner from the all bums on seat and buzz that echoed out to the faithful patrons loitering at the entrance and outside. Not only will you be charmed by the service (seriously everyone who works there has a twinkle in their eye - maitre d, wait staff and the boys in the kitchen), the organic domination and food quality, will make all your troubles go away at least momentarily. While I didn´t go the organic lamb (ooo the possibility to eat meat again...), I did pick Melbourne´s top 5 eggless breakies... the infamous smashed avocado, thyme buttered mushies and fetta on wholegrain or gluten free toast. Made perfect with an organic OJ to wash it down!

Next stop - Moral Fair Ground Fair@Square Festival. Following the success of their inaugural festival in 2009, it was imminent a second festival would follow. It was simply awesome to see the choices I had made throughout the year were the right choices and to also discover and learn what other amazing things were out there. You see the Fair@Square is a festival that celebrates and promotes ethical, socially rssponsible and environmentally aware businesses and services, so I´m sure they would have done the research as to who can or can´t participate.

Old friends who made the cut - Peppermint Magazine (Australia´s only environmentally conscious fashion magazine), Simple Phoebe, the Environmental Toothbrush, KeepCup, Savers, Fourth Daughter and Kitchen Wench who sources her ingredients from farmers markets or she grows her own.

New friends -
Gideon 100% Australian handmade sneakers from Kangaroo & Cane Toad leathers with 100% profit going to the Noffs Street University. I must say I do prefer leather over pvc. A natural fiber and a quality material that lasts. With Cane Toads and Kangaroos considered feral animals that causes. catastrophic damage and threaten our landscape, agriculture and industries, as long as they´re not farmed or are farmed humanly, this is the kind of leather I want.

"We just came back from the US ... We met with Kelly Cutrone (a fashion industry representative) who looks after Vivienne Westwood, Sass & Bide ... She loved the whole idea and took us out to dinner with the associate editor of Oprah magazine,"
- Mr Noffs co-director of Gideon.

Now that´s one step closer to Oprah than most of us got!

People & Planet raises funds for 37 Australian social-justice and environmental organizations, supporting the work of those organizations by promoting a just, sustainable world. The calendar I purchased is made from monza recycled paper (55% recycled and 45% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sustainably-harvested fibre. I particularly like the below image as although it´s shocking to see how a single person can carry so much weight, it´s also a powerful image that gives truth and hope to the saying ¨when thereś a will thereś a way¨. You can check out other images via their website where you can buy the diary/calendar or a limited edition print.

Traditional Healthcare Not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating sustainable healthcare facilities in remote areas of the world. I was attracted to the concept, creating a natural/herbal sustainably built medical clinic teaching people how to take care of themselves and their families through the use of holistic medicine and doing it sustainably so that rather than have them rely on the clinic as a go to place for an instant fix, people can learn how to grow their own herbs and develop skills that can be passed on in the future, thus they become self reliant, which is the name of the game when we talk about sustainability. I´ve been told it will cost $60k to set up and have it functioning. So if anyone out there who is considering buying a car but is also needing to make amends with the world, this could be it! Think about it, you can make such a massive impact on an entire community and it´s future or you could purchase a vehicle that heats up the earth and shortens a possible future. After having a peruse through the proposal, I am intrigued with the research conducted. *$20K has so far been raised.

So if you do have a spare moment today (Sunday) do pop over to Federation Square and open your eyes to a world of possibilities!

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I have a slight crush on Myles Mayo... a lad from SA who seems to know how to string a few chords. Cute song, catchy too! Clip, eh but I still like it and I hope you do too!

Download "how you done me wrong" here

For a bonus track, head over to Triple J Unearth

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Triple J had their J Awards yesterday at rock sweat, grunge out Ding Dong lounge.

"The J Award consistently recognises the very best musical talent that Australia has on offer, each year celebrating the outstanding musical output of our homegrown artists."

Who took out Australian Album of the Year?
The boys who I blogged about in More Less More Music down 10 #mlmusic!
Since you would already have the free legit download from that post, I will in this post give you a download from a group also nominated in the same category;

BAG RAIDERS!

Up against tough competition and while they didn't take home the J Award, this dynamic duo could still go home wearing the crown for Number 1 best DJs in NSW. They also take out the number 5 spot nationally, which is pretty damn good!

With much respect going out to Triple J and Bag Raiders,
download Triple J's Disco Remix courtesy of Bag Raiders
here

Lighting up Off Grid

I am indifferent when it comes to IKEA. While I'm not a fan of uniform looks, IKEA does know a thing or two about style and design. They are at the end of the day Swedish and we do like em' Swedes! I guess if you can give your room/pad a touch of your own personality without it screaming 'brought to you by IKEA' then that's fine. While I still prefer second-hand/upcycled furnishings over IKEA, there are times when IKEA is the easiest point of call. Foruntately, they do recognize they have a responsibility beyond home furnishing, which you can read here.

So, the other day whilst running an errand and I came across IKEA Sunnan Solar Powered Lamps. Not only was I sold on price $19.95 but I was also sold on knowing that for every IKEA Sunnan lamp purchased worldwide, another is donated to UNICEF and Save the Children to enable children in homes without electricity to do their homework.

It's really simple to use. Take it out of package, leave it outside for 9hrs, bring it in and use it! A 9hr charge should last you 3hrs. I have one in my bedroom and surprisingly I have not had the need to charge it everyday. Quite impressive that I think I might just get myself another for the other side of the bed and make my bedroom completely offgrid when it comes to lighting. Can be done, especially now that we're in daylight savings time!

"In June 2010, it is one year since the SUNNAN solar lamp campaign started. So far, around 500,000 lamps have been sold. The two best selling SUNNAN countries are Japan and Italy followed by Germany, Switzerland and France. In FY11, IKEA hopes to sell one million SUNNAN lamps worldwide in order to enable the same amount of lamp donations to UNICEF and Save the Children."

So come on Australia! Start lighting up with an IKEA Sunnan!

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I am just luvin the Jezabels. How much so? Another post of em' so but with a new download of course (previous entry - More Less More Music download 4 #mlmmusic)! If you haven't already downloaded one if not all of their EPs yet, here's another download to entice and convince you that this group is not to be ignored. Actually with a gig at most of this Summer's music festivals, you'll be a fool to not know who the Jezabels are.

For a short time only, download it from itunes here

Young Blood not True Blood

A beauty product review...

So at the start of the year I posted about the pressed mineral foundation I use which goes by the name Mineralogie. While I was happy with the product, I had run out and they had sold out, so it was time to find a backup.

Wondering through DJs I came across Australian brand Natio. Being so out of touch (as I tend to avoid big department stores), I was not aware they brought out a mineral pressed power. Scored. But on use, I realized it was just that, a power not a pressed mineral foundation, thus there was no coverage at all. So rather than waste a perfectly good product, I went on the search for something to complement this buy. Introducing Invisible Zinc Tinted Day wear, an Australian made tinted mineral moisturizer and sunscreen and winner of Cosmopolitan magazine 2010 Beauty Awards - Judges Choice. Now after having used the product, I now know why the brand have such stunning beauties as brand ambassadors, with the likes of Elle McPherson, and mother and daughter team Jerry Hall and Georgia Jagger. You see the product smells. Seriously, really smells to a point I was so conscious about it I tried to with much awkwardness avoid the obligatory kiss kiss. I am not overreacting as a comment was made. Aaaahhh embarrassment!! But yet not to waste both products I continued use. Whether a smart decision or not, its now at its end. During this time which felt like forever, I did google to find Young Blood, a mineral based cosmetic company offering what I was searching for, a mineral pressed foundation compact. Paraben free but unlike Mineralogie who uses sweet almond oil as a setting agent, Youngblood uses rice starch instead. Fortunately, this one's a winner and with over a hand full of stockist in Victoria, Ill never be without makeup again. Back to normality for this green chick!

Kyneton knocks one out of the ball park

(Darthmouth Cottage ) (The Vintage Yard Sale)

The weekend past, my girlfriends and I made our way to the Macedon Ranges. Rain, hail ,shine (shine we did not get) didn't stop us, for we were craving some well deserved R&R.

3 Things we luved:

• Our accommodation - a cozy country cottage in Woodend
• Piper Street, Kyneton
• Hanging Rock Sparkling rose` for Budburst Wine Festival
  

Piper Street Kyneton, absolutely luved. Picture this, a street made up of at least 2 chef hat restaurants, over a handful of quaint breakfast cafes, a Moroccan tapas joint, the much talked about Pizza Verde and my fav, Inner Biscuit, an organic patisserie and cafe. These photos might not do it justice but let me tell you, any place that offers a chocolate pistachio meringue, knows a thing or two about a way to a sweet tooth's heart! Oh and breakfast, apple and brie on sourdough, and cinnamon apple date chutney with feta and rocket bruschetta, were both delightful. Local produce, organic ingredients and coffee, this little green chick had thought she had died and gone to heaven.

I was also enchanted by the Vintage Yard Sale, so much so I now feel my life is close to complete! Everything I desire could be found here from furnishings to clothing to nick nacks. Now I'm thinking this would make a nice addition to my coastal eco-house I foresee myself living and working from in the future...! (one day... oh but when will my one day come?!)

Never thought I would be so eager to say this but, Kyneton anyone, like soonish?

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Crystal Castles are "among the most in-demand pop-music acts since the inception of blog culture. Hailing from Toronto, they have since transcended all forms of modern media, becoming icons of a new age of electronic music with front cover features in NME, Juke, Dazed and Confused, and Guardian Guide."

Do you trust me? If so...

Download "Not In Love (featuring Robert Smith) here

Green Fields, Green Spring, Green Horse of course!

While there is quite some truth to Marieke Hardy's article, "The Melbourne Cup: It's a truly revolting spectacle", I still embraced 2010 Spring Racing Carnival festivities. You see the premise of Green Chic is about making small changes first, as small changes are found to be easier to retain as oppose to being hit with big changes. But it's also about generating thought and conversation amongst people who are not of similar thinking. And that is the challenge. To change the behaviour and thoughts of climate change sceptics but to do so in a non-confronting manner.

So, my motto for 2010 Spring Racing Carnival was based around the 3R principles - Reuse, Reduce & Recycle. Attending 2 race days Derby and Stakes, I made only 1 purchase and that purchase was an item that will have much reuse (already reused!). That item being a Derby Day"commissioned neckpiece" by Simply Phoebe (a local designer who uses remnant, reclaimed and vintage fabric to create her wares).

Fun times were had, winnings there were and bonuses there was! The bonus was Flemington's Green Fields initiative, an initiative demonstrating their commitment to raising awareness of environmental sustainability.

Flemington Green Fields aims to reduce the environmental impact of the Flemington racecourse by creating tangible results through;

• Using 100% GreenPower for all racemeetings held at Flemington during the 2009/10 season
  
• Working with SecondBite, in conjunction with Peter Rowland and their panel of accredited caterers to redistributed unused food from Flemington. During the 2009 Melbourne Cup Carnival 1.485 tonnes was collected providing 3,000 nutritious meals to local charities; food that would otherwise go to landfill
• Extending its waste minimization program, recycling 271 tonnes and achieving 54% diversion from landfill (up from 26% in 2008), and setting up recycling stations across Flemington

I wouldn't be surprised if I was the only one at Flemington who happily took a photo of the recycling bins (yes I do get excited over the little things!). But what was also great to see was each marque were given their own personal recycling bins, thus punters had no excuse not to recycle. Nice one VRC!

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I tell a lie. I did say I would have more time up my sleeve in November but I have some how managed to drag out the deadline of my report for Melbourne Fringe. I blame it on my masters assessment which is due next week and thus I have decidedly taken it upon myself to make everything due that same day. Mistake? Probably but I am happy to say it's soooo close to completion. Not long now til I give you the marriage of arts and sustainability by yours truly but in the mean time what I can give you is this week's download.

Winners of Triple J 2010 Unearthed High 'Stonefield' with their track Through the Clover.

Quite appropriate to have Stonefield as this week's download, as these darling buds hail from the Macedon Ranges, where I coincidentally will be this coming weekend. But no chance I'll get to see them live as again coincidentally, these sisters will be rocking it out at Queen Vic Market from 1:30pm this Sunday (14th November). And we do like Queen Vic Market, if not for their deli but their stance on sustainability by banning the plastic bag. Luv it!

So if you like the tunes download it here ,
AND
if you really like them, then get yourself over to Queen Vic Market this Sunday and while you're there do grab yourself a Borek from the deli mmm.... Too easy.

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It is no surprise why many of us heart Melbourne. And Gypsy and The Cat just adds more weight to our love. From the suburban garage to the cashed up Sony corporation, these local lads ‘serves up a warm blend of melodic pop that is set in grand electronic soundscapes that is influenced by acts ranging from Fleetwood Mac and Jeff Buckley to the innovative electronic sounds of Daft Punk and Justice.’ Nuff said.

Download it here and be Melbourne proud

Hövding means "chieftain" in Swedish

Hövding

Those crazy Swedes. Yes they do have style, and design must run through their blood but really could this work? Possibly when Winter 2011 hits (no pun intended), I will be more convinced. For now, I''ll just keep on admiring their styling!

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While these Perth lads strum their sounds around Europe, they do so knowing they have 5 ARIA nominations to their name; 'Album of the Year', 'Best Group', 'Best Rock Album', 'Breakthrough Artist' and 'Best Cover Art'. Now thatś a big seller and thanks to the guys at Daytrotter you can find out why the Tame Impala sound is ¨one equally informed by The Beatles as it is beat poetry.¨

Download it now
here

Crafty Wears - made in melbourne

This weekend was dictated by the crafts but in a good way. A week or so ago, I came across Emily Green via The Design Files and was instantly drawn to her colorful brooches. A textile designer by trade, she combines digital prints and resin to create her colorful delights. I am so sold by them that I make my way into town just to catch her at Craft Hatch market, a Craft Victoria initiative, showing casing the works of 25 emerging designers each month. And what a great item to own. For the next day as I made brief appearances in Fitzroy/Richmond/North Melbourne, I kid you not, I was showered with glowing comments over my new brooch. Who would have thought this colorful little pick me up would be such a conversation starter! The only hiccup and my bad, was I kept telling people the designer was Emma Green rather than EMILY Green. If only I had just said Em Green, I would not feel so bad. Oh well.

So the brooch was my Saturday buy. My Sunday buy was another seek out buy. I had met Simply Phoebe at Finders Keepers market a week or so ago. At Finders Keepers Phoebe only had stocks of winter-ish colors left which didn't agree with my bright colors only mission. But all was not lost as she would be at Spring Fling, a North Melbourne Errol Street festival to spruik her wares. Of course I followed and now I am the owner of this neck piece, which is made from recycled material/offcuts (mine I´m told has curtain pieces). Definitely a tick in my sustainability books, thus LUV. Luv so much I no longer need a new outfit for the races rather another neck piece will do me just fine. Reuse (dress & head gear), Recycle (neck piece made from recycled outcuts, and heels from camberwell market) and Reduce (my purchases/consumption), is my motto for Spring Racing Carnivale 2010. Now time to get onto Phoebe to see if she can whip me up the perfect Derby Day piece! Stay tuned.

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As always better late than never. Normal programing will return next week as I have some me time up my sleeve again. Though, a report is still in the works but it's not far off from completion.

Anyhoo, so I missed out on Yacht Club Djs at the Corner last week while I wouldn't have had the energy and time, nonetheless I still missed out. So I give you this week's belated download, Yacht Club DJs, fine boys from Ballarat who have gotten down and dirty with Little Red's highly rotated single 'Rock It' and have given it their touch. Enjoy.

Click here to download

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I remember the very first Laneway Festival, back in 2004 when it was known as St Jeromes laneway festival. When St Jeromes was a bar, a gig venue and a place where we could grab a trusty toasted sandwich. Held in Caledonian lane, stage at little bourke street end and entry from lonsdale street, businesses opened up their back door for all to roam through. One memory was drifting through the kitchen of the Viet restaurant grabbing a spring roll and then heading upstairs to a lounge area. I believe it was Eskimoe Joe and The Avalanches who brought the laneway it's fame. Ahhh... the memories. So I align this week's track with the release of Laneway's 2011 lineup by giving you Gotye who you can expect to see at Footscray Community Arts Centre, the new location for the Laneway festival, no longer a laneway but a riverbank which seem to work just as well last year.

"Eyes Wide Open" by Gotye (released 12 October 2010)

download it here

Why Why Why???

One thing I have got to quit doing is asking myself the question WHY ME? While I embrace the whole "everything happens for a reason" aka FATE I can't help but question why sh*t things happen to me during the times I have been eagerly waiting for.

When I ask myself the question Why me? I seem to start questioning everything and start doubting myself which leads to frustration and stress. I am the root of my own stress. So what I need to do is avoid self-doubt and put myself in non-superficial situations. It is then I am at ease. However, what is stressful to one may not be stressful to another. While I am a happy go lucky person, I am only happy go lucky when I am not constrained by time and when there is mutual respect within the environment one is in. Some people thrive on the sense of urgency, I prefer a smooth process where things just falls into place as I find there is some kind of "realness" in it, whereas the other is really just finding quick solutions to inefficiencies. I HATE inefficiencies, it destroys me as life is too precious to be wasted on inefficiencies. Which is why I have changed my path in life. I have new priorities which kind of aligns with Erik Dammann, Norwegian author, environmentalist and founder of The Future in Our Hands organization, idea of wanting "society to arrange things to allow for more part-time work and similar solutions promoting more sustainable consumption." Having received 'The Right Livelihood Award', more commonly known as the "Alternative Nobel Prize", for challenging Western values and lifestyles in order to promote a more responsible attitude to the environment and the third world, Dammann is not just a man of blubbering words.

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Jose Gonzales last album was 2007 'In Our Nature'. While tracks from the album still receives much rotation, when word on street had it that "Rope And Summit" was a new track from Jose Gonzales' band Junip, I jumped on it!

If you're liking these Swedish boys, download the tune here

And if you really really like them, see them at the Corner by getting your ticket here

Swiss made SIGG

A few months ago I blogged about Vapur, the anti-bottle. While the concept is great but for everyday use, not so. I do like my Vapur bottle for the convenience at music festivals and the likes but it does get grotty and I'm not so keen on grot. But the SIGG on the other hand is the BOMB. It was always a desire of mine not to buy into the SIGG brand but now I realize there is a reason why so many peeps choose the SIGG. An aluminimum reusable bottle lined with BPA-free Eco-Care liner and phthalate-free ingredients, it's easy to clean, nice and light and keeps my water fresh. All that I need to quench the thirst.

With my SIGG bottle, I'm in pretty good company!

Hot to Trot

oh Camberwell Market, how I luv thee...

The term "Slow Fashion" seems to be popping up in conversation these days. While I'm not a fan of the term, I guess it does kinda make sense. "Fast Fashion" aka "Disposal Fashion" is not very becoming for it seems to represent an idea that one must constantly buy for the purpose of keeping up with the Jones. But seriously who gives a toss about what the Jones think. Life's not a dress rehearsal. Everything has potential and beauty. If it brings you joy, then go for it! At the end of the day, it's how you make it work that counts.

.

So Sunday just past, not only was it sunshine and lollipops, I managed to score a pair of hot glossy heels, a beautiful vintage-sique coin purse and a brunch of lillies, all for $20. With Spring Racing around the corner, I am ready to show off em' pins!

Rules for rewarding buys:

• Never bargain unless the seller initiates
• If it catches your eye, ask yourself the question why it caught your eye?
• Buy it not for a rainy day but for immediate use

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Sunday was a glorious day. Sun was shining and I picked up some gorgeous bargain buys at Camberwell market as I basked in the sun. Post of buys shall come...

The sun takes me to the beach either physically or in a dream-like state. At the beach we sunbathe, we splash around and we surf! And so this week I give you fan favorite, Let's go surfing by San Fran boys, The Drums.

Click here if you want go surfing...!

#visiblecity #mfringe #collcons #shareable

www.melbournefringe.com.au/visiblecity

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Apologies, apologies apologies. While I did intend to post a new download every Tuesday, with #mfringe festivities kicking off yesterday, I am to put it simply all over the joint. It is majorly exciting so do check it and if you are on twitter, TWEET PLEASE using hashtags #mfringe or #visiblecity.

OK no more blah blah blah, this week I give you John Butler Trio - "Revolution"
click here for free itunes video downloard

The September Issue

Throughout the world, fashionistas will tell you that The September 2007 issue of Vogue magazine was the single largest issue of a magazine ever published, weighing in at almost five pounds. The phenomenon surrounding it led to the affirmation that "if fashion was a religion, this would be the bible".

While I do not intend to post the single largest entry on this blog, it would however seem Green Chick is nonetheless conquering the month of September in her own little way. It would seem, the gods or rather some higher power has chosen September to be the month where Green Chic makes her mark in a few publications. A feature piece in national magazine Insight on creating an eco-bedroom (giddy front cover mention!), another feature in RMIT student union magazine Catalyst on Melbourne Cycle Chic and guest editor for Melbourne Fringe The Fix Green edition. Though I must say most of the work was done by Fringe Communications team coz they're simple rad, nuff said.

And so I shall now leave you with, thank you thank you thank you and giddy giddy giddy. *happy*

All we need is a Kindness Revolution

Today I received from Wake Up Sydney my Kindness Cards!

I luv this concept, to reach out to someone with an anonymous act of kindness.

Sadly, the world is an angry place. We all want to be in a happy place and most of the time we are, but sometimes maybe it´s our competitive nature, greed or the demands surroundings us that seems to drive us away from this place. Weŕe so preoccupied in all that we do that we end up losing our patience and also ourselves. The phrase ¨I just don´t have time¨ tends to lingers amongst us and eats into our happy place. What´s amazing is a kind gesture no matter how small, can bring one back to one´s happy place. The kindness of a stranger makes you stop and think as well as puts a smile on your dial. A smile that comes from your heart. And if you really think about it, you´re happy, they´re happy, then two more are added to the happy tally!

While I could do this without the cards, I do like the feeling of being a part of a movement plus the cards are a great way to show support for the Kindness Revolution - ¨encouraging people to do something kind for someone who then passes on the favour to someone else.¨ Jono Fisher Wake Up Sydney

Wake up Melbourne, Kindness Cards have arrived.

More Less More Music download 5 #mlmmusic

It was such a beautiful day today that I chose to spend it beach-side. The catch is I didn´t spend much time online.

While I´ve not been intentionally selecting solely oz made music (we just happen to bang out some pretty decent sounds) this week I take it international without the added carbon emissions.

In keeping with the I can´t wait for Summer theme, I give you...

Kid Cudi (ft. Rostam Batmanglij & Bethany Cosentino)

¨ALL SUMMER¨

click here for legit free download

Banksy - My Hero

Metro gallery on High Street Armadale has their hot little hands on two limited-edition Banksy prints and is excepting to build on this with a costly Banksy original from London.

Lucky if youŕe in Melbourne during 27 September - 17 October. Never has there been a show in Australia that has brought together the great street artists from around the world, with the likes of Blek Le Rat, Nick Walker, Swoon, Shepard Fairey and Dface as well as locals such as Ha-Ha.

Banksy -
[synonymous to notority and anonymity]
With a penchant for the absurd, satirical, and bizarre Banksy’s works challenge the viewer to re-evaluate the world around them. Using humour to underpin serious social concerns Banksy critiques the lifestyle of consumerism and gluttony that is symptomatic of the society in which we live.

I love my nephew & he loves me

Jackson is my nephew and yesterday was his Third Birthday. Happy Birthday my luv!

It may be pretentious of me to say this but I reckon I´m his favourite aunt. Mum reckons it´s because he sees me as his playmate rather than as an adult. I guess she has a point since I am a big kid at heart after all!

Jackson loves Thomas the tank engine, I love green smart living. So we have a conflict. How can I make this little boy happy while staying true to myself? Something´s gotta give right?

Well as it would happen Thomas has a friend called Whiff who hauls freights containing recycled items to Sodor recycling plant. Luv it! Now I can teach Jack about recycling cans, paper and bottles and he gets to add another train to his Thomas collection. A win-win for all!

More Less More Music download 4 #mlmmusic

It´s that time of week again folks.
This week I give you Sydneysiders The Jezabels. While I´m luvin their latest hit Easy to Love, I haven't come across a free download for this song. However what they do have for us is this widget.

Something different, something cool and that simply sums up The Jezabels. Have a listen. If you like, add the widget to your webpage and/or click here for other tracks, free from their Triple J unearthed page.

Tweaking the norm with blueberries

Happy Father's Day!

For some reason, it's always been in my family that as the kids get older, we up the ante on how much we spend on gifts for each other. It´s never been a rule or a requirement but I guess my bro and I just had the same thinking that as our salaries increased we would lavish our folks, as kind of a thank you gesture for getting us to where we are today. While my bro continues to strive for pole position in the corporate world, I on the other hand have done a 360, sacrificing the dollar for greater control over my life. While my priorities have changed for the better, so have my savings or lack of. Thus I can no longer lavish one with pricey gifts. Which is kind of great as now I find I put more thought into a gift.

My dad loves blueberries. So for father´s day I thought it would be quite fitting to buy dad a blueberry tree. Inexpensive and personal. Plus it fits in with my green queen ambitions.

A couple of months ago I met Joel from Moondarra Blueberries, during a uni excursion to Slow Food Farmers Market at Abbotsfords Convent. Moondarra Blueberries is an established blueberry plant propagator and producer of quality organic blueberries, with certification from the National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASSA). NASAA is accredited with both AQIS and IFOAM.

What´s great about this purchase was not only was it a step in the slow food movement direction but I also found it quite refreshing to chat to the people who actually grow and work with the product. Their excitement became my excitement!

You can find Moondarra Blueberries either online or at various Farmers´ Market through out Melbourne.

And Dad, I´ve been told you should expect clusters of berries from this baby coming January.