SUSTAINABLE

Three days into semester and I am loving all my subjects so far- Photography (which for now only involves B&W film- !), Magazine Layout & Typography and Sustainable Futures.

I've always been quite conscious of my choices and their effect on the environment - mostly thanks to my upbringing and a year in Europe (where everyone just seems to be so much more clued up and caring about the earth). Anyway, it's funny how you find that some unlikely subjects overlap, because when I was assigned to study a particular magazine layout, I found that I loved what Dumbo Feather stands for and found their articles, even their (few) advertisements, genuinely meaningful and interesting. One was the KeepCup article- especially exciting for me since I just bought one recently (shameful that I only did so now but I was looking everywhere for one with my absolute favourite coffee - Toby's Estate - logo). Even though one of my resolutions was to drink less coffee, I'll make sure that I never use a paper cup again when I do. You only need to use the KeepCup 15 times for it to start 'helping' the environment and I'm well on my way to that number!

Diggin' my fluoro lunchbox, 'bladder' waterbottle (so handy - folds flat when it's empty!) and KeepCup.

I also always try to minimise packaging, and while I realise that these aren't revolutionary methods, simply taking your own bag to the supermarket, using a lunchbox and not buying bottled water* really minimises your consumption/ waste significantly.

*Yes, I do love mineral water and occasionally buy it bottled but I make sure the glass gets recycled!

END

All holidays come to an end. This is (some of) what I did in the past 3.5 months:

Spent a lot of time by the pool/ sea.

Modelled (lol, me) for a friend's clothing portfolio. Photo by Nicole.

Went to Vietnam. Highlight.

(lol) went away with some people outside my usual crowd.

Ate with friends.

SATURDAY

Seriously delicious Sonoma spelt, maple & almond muesli.

Good catch ups with good friends and an all day breakfast equals a good Saturday- sadly though weekdays for me are more relaxed (without work) than my weekends!

DIY: SCRUNCHIE

I never wear my hair out. Even if you know me, you probably have never seen me with my hair not in a pony tail or a bun. I'm much better at wasting time eating breakfast and reading before realising I should have left home five minutes ago and not sparing my poor (rather long) locks a thought.

Enter scrunchie.

Have had my eyes on some cool American Apparel ones for some time now but remembered childhood days where my gran used to let me 'design' (/pick out material) my own hair scrunchie and make it in less than 20 minutes.

I picked up this cool-coloured scrap fabric at an Australian fashion label where I've started doing some graphic design intern work recently and this scrunchie took me all but two train trips to complete.

BREAK

Subconsciously making smiley pancakes must mean I'm in a good mood!

Skittle infused vodka

Arrived home from a few time-out days with friends on the coast spent lying in the sun, staying up late, sleeping in, eating, drinking and taking photos. Ready to tackle my busiest year yet.

MAKAN

I set foot in Makan @ Alice's for the first time a few months ago for a Christmas dinner and instantly regretted not bringing my camera. Despite having won more awards than is space for on their wall, Alice's is unpretentious and very reasonably priced. Decor is minimal and it can get quite noisy (especially as it can get busy- book in advance for dinner), but who cares with such delicious Malaysian fare and a 3-course meal for little over $20? The menu is varied, waitstaff are friendly & efficient and meals are brought out speedily.

Roti canai & chicken curry. Perfect buttery & fluffy roti, perfect curry for dipping.

Mamak mee goreng.

Soft pork ribs. My stand-out dish of the night- tender, sticky & sweet. Oh baby.

One of the coolest-looking desserts I've ever laid eyes upon: Ice Kacang. DO NOT SKIP DESSERT AT ALICE'S. Ice Kacang is an adventure for the palate but not for the narrow-minded desserteur: an interesting and super-refreshing combination of shaved ice, creamed corn, sweet red beans and those jelly cubes they have in Easyway tea (name, anyone?).

Other noteworthy desserts include black sesame ice cream with red beans (next time I'm trying the green tea flavour) and sago with gula melaka- salty, caramel-y and creamy. Desserts are huge (as are other meals) so I recommend ordering one or two less than the number of people eating.

If you're ever in northern Sydney suburbia, do try it out. More information here.

RIGHT NOW

My day today: trying to figure out Photoshop, eating a spinach, ham & cheese sandwich.

W.I.R.A. #2

Not strictly 'recent', but amazing self-serve frozen yoghurt in Vietnam. You help yourself to the frozen yoghurt (melon and green tea were the stand-out flavours) & trimmings and pay by weight. Genius.

Fact: I can only bake girly-looking cakes.

Deep-fried bananas dipped in chocolate: delicious heart attack on a plate.

Benefits of working in hospitality #47: Staff dinners.

Oh the blissful first few days of 2012 when the weather actually felt like summer and was iceblock-worthy. (Taken with my disposable camera).

Now to the less aesthetically pleasing photos, but noteworthy nonetheless.

'Aussie' BBQ Meatlover's Shapes for Australia Day. Tastes nothing like a pizza but still pretty good, especially since I've personally never jumped on the 'OMG I luv shapez dey r d best!!!11' bandwagon.

The mandatory BBQ salad which no-one ever touches and eventually ends up on the floor (to make room for more Shapes and beer).

Meaty raisin toast. One has to resort to desperate measure while camping.