Living & Breathing ArKit

The story of events goes like this...

I was asked by Peppermint Magazine my plans for the future, which I happily divulge was to eventually build a self-sufficient eco-house.

@busichic, @laramcpherson and I start up Three Chics, a site dedicated to our eco-trips throughout regional Victoria

@busichic retweets @ArKit call for habitatants in their EcoStudio during the State of Design Festival #habitation.

Excitedly I enter ArKit´s comp, for it´ll be one step closer to achieving my eco-house, a minuet step but a step nonetheless and I think I´d like a nice eco-recon break.

Get @busichic & @laramcpherson to enter for I think they too would like a nice eco-recon break

Yesterday on Twitter
ARKit #habitation announcement - we are delighted to welcome @laramcpherson @busichic and @cangreenbechic as our inhabitants!

Whoooa... How things just happens when you least expect it!

Jack´s world

From way back, ok maybe 7 years ago isnt really way back, I knew I was onto a good thing. Not only was Jack Johnson´s debut album Brushfire Fairytales a welcome sound and would go down in history as one of his best works, I was quite fortunate to observe his relaxed demeanor backstage and on set. Not only blessed with good looks, he is also a soulful being who is switched on to world issues while keeping it real.

Seven years later, Jack is still making good music and making it green. His latest album ¨To the Sea¨ not only debut at number 1 last week in Australia but also in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Switzerland. It´s not surprising this man has a mass following. He always seem to welcome us into his world with lyrics that are honest, relatable and relevant. And that´s the beauty of it. To be allowed into his world is to understand that the goodness and beauty within it needs to be preserved through sustainable practices.

To the Sea

• recorded using 100% solar energy

• album printed on 100% post consumer waste recycled paper

• packaged using FSC-certified recycled paper

Click here for more on Jack Johnson´s green actions. I particularly like their push for Universal music to develop biodegradable corn-based shrink wrap and soy-based inks.

¨Oooooooo ooooh, Are they laughing at or with me, Oooooooo ooooh, Why can’t we just say what we mean¨ - At or with me

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain)

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (keepcup chronicles is moving)...

ahhhh... David Bowie you legend.

No, this posting is not an ode to David Bowe, i am not that great of a fan. But changes are happening with Green Chic. Nothing major but bits here and there and for the better. What can I say, who knew my little "green" diary of life would grow into something bigger than Ben Heir... (well, no but wouldn't that be something?!) Life has been pretty amazing since the conception of Green Chic. What I can conclude from all this is that if you are truly passionate about something, you will radiate from such passion. So with my bronzer and my passion, I am pretty much gleaming! And people are mesmerized.

I haven't had to do any real marketing or self-promotion and yet the response I've received has been amazing. Although it's good to aim big but when you don't, all the little things that happen, makes it kinda big in the end! I love the changes I am making in my life but I also love seeing the changes in others either it be friends, acquaintances or the guy at the coffee shop. Who said one small action can't have an impact? I sure don't believe it.

Anyhoo, passion seems to bring about verbal diarrhea, so I will just get to the point. KeepCup Chronicals will be moving to it's own page. To follow live KC's movements, best to follow via twitter, otherwise continue to visit the blog for not so regular updates.

Hello Lor-ren my ecoboo!

A couple of weeks ago my childhood friend and her hubby welcomed into the world this gorgeous little thing named Lor-ren.

How did I inflict my green ways on this young family? Buying baby organic of course! Though it would seem baby organic is quite the rage as the organic baby´s blanket I wanted to purchase was out of stock. I generally try not to buy baby clothes as gifts, so avoiding the cutesy tops and bottoms, I went for Ecoboo booties and bib. So so cute and I know for a fact from my two darling nephews, that you can never have too many bibs.

Why organic? The same reason as with adults. Organically grown cotton, which unlike conventionally grown cotton uses sustainable farming practices to produce cotton without the use of pesticides, defoliants or fertilisers.

1000 £ Bend unimpresssed high 5

I think I got picked on. Yes, they took my cup but $3.50 for a soy capp & it's not even filled to the top? Well with Rue Bebelon just down the road $3 soy & to the top, we know where I'll be heading next time! But I'll be back to freeload on the free wifi!!



Sent from my iPhone

Overcast yet still so chic

Project Three Chics coming soon...
First stop destination Castlemaine.

Passing wind charges iPhone

It was my birthday a few months ago and one of the gifts I received was this HYmini. A gift that made me giddy for my cycling was to take on new meaning and I would no longer live in fear my iPhone would run out of juice.

What is HYmini? HYmini is a hybrid green portable power station, capturing wind power with a built in generator and then storing it in an internal battery. My HYmini came with a bike attachment, which is quite befitting, but it can also be attached to your car window and shoulder if you are the avid runner, which I am not.

2 birds 1 stone, luv it! I cycle to lose a few pounds, who am I kidding I cycle to achieve hotness! And I cycle to charge up my iPhone so I can twitter/facebook/email/make calls/sms/take photos... aka stay connected.

This is definitely a green badge moment. woohoo!! Though I would have prefer the white/grey/black color option. Much more chic then the green. But it was a gift and I guess I am the green chick... hmmm...

Vuvuzela - be lost without

Fashion before Football? Prove us wrong Harry. We can have the best of both, can we not?! Go the socceroos!!



Sent from my iPhone

Zooey Deschanel Chic

I wasn´t going to but now I think I will. I thought I had finally convinced myself I didn´t need a pair of Melissa´s Kali wedges but after seeing Zooey Deschanel in these beauties, I am back to being undecided. I was to buy a pair of boots this Winter to block out the cold and to jump puddles but now after seeing this picture maybe I don´t really need to jump in puddles??! Hmmm... I could wear these to work couldn´t I? I definitely can see them on the dance floor as well as doing the bike bustle. To jump or not to jump, that is the question? But what I do know is mention ¨businesschic¨ when making your purchase via MelissaAustralia online, you may just find yourself paying 10% less. Booyah!

Why Melissa? This is why.

*ps - 500 days of Summer, anti-Sex and the City styling but still wonderfully chic

Winter Woolie

Trying to live sustainably also involves consuming sustainably. While I could use the excuse 'with the weather being so damn cold I need a new Winter wardrobe', I decided to rework my Summer gear to be Winter friendly. Why keep good clothes stored away? So I take to the layering trend. The only problem which is a major problem is that it doesn´t give you any warmth. So maybe I do need 5 new sweaters and 5 new long sleeves? Of course not! What I do need and end up buying is a long sleeve Australian merino wool thermo undergarment which I will say I have worn as an outer garment, I call it versatility! Back to the layering but now I'm now warm and toasty thanks to my winter woolie!

I bought this one from the Queen Vic Market. I love the Queen Vic. You can grab yourself a filling borek from the deli for $2.50 (2 vegie options on offer yay!) or plonk yourself down at Invita, a wholefoods cafe offering freshly prepared gluten free vegetarian/vegan foods made on premises with organic ingredients wherever possible.

Life is good sometimes, especially when it´s easy on the pocket!

Upcycling at it's best

Now this is what I'm talking about...

Previous occupation: Areoplane wing
Current occupation: Desk
www.reestore.com

Hot hot hot!!!

I have "another" job to pay the bills. At this job I sit with my back to the window. I´m no genius but I don´t think there´s double glazing on the window as I am always cold. Oh probably sitting under the vent doesn´t help either.

I do get rather jealous when I see my colleagues frolicking around in a cardi or a tee and here I am forever rugged up in my jacket, scarf and legwarmers! I too want to be free and frolicky!! What to do what to do??

Well, I could just pop a heater underneath the desk but that wouldn´t be environmentally friendly unless the company was on 100% GreenPower, which is highly unlikely. So what do I end up doing? I get myself a Wheat Bag. You can find these guys every Sunday at the Arts Center market. They are true hippies, no websites or email, only contactable by the trusty telephone.

Wheat Bag, the natural alternative hot water bottle and heat remedy for aches, pains and tense muscles. Once it´s done its job fighting the Winter cold, you can use it as an ice pack during the Summer months by chilling it in the icebox for the desired effect!

You might not get the continuous heat flow as you would from a heater but it does get you out of your chair every hour or so, so you too can frolic around if you please!

5 hours of continuous heater use VS 5 lots of 2 minute microwave nukes. You do the math.

Old books styles HUSK

I like it lots.



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Shoe Shine Shoe

Today is my bro's birthday. Happy Birthday Kev! This blog goes out to you!!

So what does the sister who shuns the 9-5 standard give the dotting father of 2 (both under the age of 3) who works at executive level? Well, obviously a "green" chic gift! But what could it be??

Shoe Shine Shoe, founded from centuries old trade but given a contemporary spin, is proving a big hit amongst the movers and shakers of Melbourne. They offer a walk-in shoe shine service, a drop off service and an in-house service for those with a corporate account.

Now, I know a shoe shine ain't ranked high or ranked at all as a priority for my bro, tho it really should as don't they say you can tell a lot by a man from his shoes?!

So I toddle off to its Rialto Towers headquarters to "create" the gift. You see, they don't offer gift vouchers but being so lovely, Kate (the owner) and Sam (her right hand man) were more than happy to make it work. To give a service and not a potential landfill item is a relief for this green chick. And at $10 a shine, I reckon I can shout my bro a few!

* Shoe Shine Shoe doesn't have to be a bloke's gift but seeing we sheila's have greater choice in gifts, I thought this would be very appropriate for a male!

* Handmade card from Arts Centre Sunday market

My Vision...

For the last class of the semester, we had to present to one another our vision of a sustainable world. I'm a simple straight to the point with a tinge of color kinda gal, so my vision was summed up in 5 slides.

In my sustainable world;

1. Milton Friedman's theory "there's no free lunch" will hold true but less dodgy dealings

2. Value of goods will be determined by the individual and not by what others value

3. Growth will come from innovation and design

4. Sustainable actions like using reusable cups/bottle, switching off equipment when not in use, will be instinctive

5. Return on Investment will no longer be a monetary measure but a measure of social benefit

This is... Banksy

You say graffiti, I say gallery outside

Banksy is a smart man but he did go to art school.

Yes, this is a great film but what does this blog entry have to do with Green Chic? For me, it's how Banksy tells the story of commericalism and greed and how it has led to overprice goods and the lost meaning behind the art.

This film illustrates Banksy's view on street art. While it is common to accept street art as having a notoriety attached to it, which adds value to the art, Banksy uses this film to demonstrate that this should not be the case at all. Rather he makes a spectacle of the stupidity of those who are in it for the quick buck and the Americans who buy into the hype that gives street art the notority label. He uses Thierry Guetta aka Mister Brainwash as his example. Some may argue that "Banksy went off brand" by commercially publicizing the film but in my opinion he had to in order to get his message out there to the "wannabe" art buyers. This really was the only avenue he could use. Had he publicized the film via underground methods, his message would not have reached his targeted audience.

The film is funny, provocative and genius. Not only does it contain amazing footage from around the world, it also includes several shots of the work of local artists such as Rone, Ash Keating and Vexta.

While street art continues to spark debate on whether our common spaces are really 'public' and whether there is a difference between street art VS advertising, my advise is to see the film before choosing sides.

Exit through the gift shop - A Banksy film.
Now showing at ACMI til 21 June 2010 - click here for trailer

Official selection SUNDANCE film festival 2010
Official Competition, Berlin film festival

Auction for Gifts & Promises - Orphfund

As mentioned in a past entry, I am a great supporter of grassroots charity Orphfund.

Next week, Orphfund will be holding their biggest fundraising event of the year. It takes place in Melbourne on 10th June @ 7.30pm at Rose St Artist Market, Fitzroy. I am pretty sure it will be a great night of entertainment, awareness raising and fun with funds going towards their forthcoming project in Uganda. Rose Street shopping on a Thursday night, how can one say no?! We luv rose street!!

World Environment Day aka #WED2010

* Word Environment Day 5th June *

Today is World Environment Day and crazy busy I am. But nonetheless it is my duty to honor this day. And I do so by passing on this call to action request from 1Million Women. I encourage you to sign up and join the movement. How great would it be great to see Melbourne Women leading the fight in climate change. But I ain't no feminist. So boys, you can do your bit too. Time to get yourself a KeepCup don't you think?

Style over Fashion

¨Anyone who´s rich enough can look polished, but style is much harder, requiring a good eye, good posture, the nerve to be quirky and the confidence to carry it off.¨

- Mark Patrick
[fashion designer cum journalist cum PR & events organizer extrodinaire]



My type of style
photo credit to Vintage is the New Black