Table of contents for Summer 2016 in Peppermint Magazine

ISSUE 32 SUMMER 2016 Oh body image, you complicated, messed-up thing, you! It’s a subject I feel very passionate about – I don’t think I know any woman in my life who isn’t affected by it negatively in some form or another. Our bodies are these incredible, intricate, awe-inspiring machines of creation that we should worship and be humbled by: that carry us through life and house all the important bits – our hearts, our minds and our souls. How amazing is it that these vessels help us dance, hike across new countries, squeeze our children and touch our loved ones; they gift us the joy of tasting our favourite food, the feeling of wind in our hair and the scent of spring flowers. They are responsible for the endorphin…

Win! CRYSTAL CLEAR If you like your necklaces fine-chained, your pendants precious and your earrings elegant, YCL Jewellery’s delicate and dainty bling will be just your thing. These adornments are about more than just aesthetics – Creative Director Fabienne is a big believer in the power of crystals, and all YCL creations are designed to help you manifest your goals and banish negative energy; they’re also 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Fabienne designs every piece in her Gold Coast studio, and YCL’s ethical manufacturing process takes place in India in the capable hands of talented craftsmen. ycljewels.com Win a Constellation Disc Necklace worth $120! Email your details to yesplease@peppermintmag.com by 12 February 2017 with ‘YCL Jewels’ in the subject line. in the bag Stepping up the accessories games is Felicity Cooney…

Boxers, g-strings, granny pants, boylegs, classic briefs – shopping for undies these days can be as bewildering as trying to decipher the coffee menu at a hipster cafe. But don’t get your knickers in a twist, because Peppermint is here to debrief you (well, not literally) on our pick of the most stylish and sustainable undergarments. We’ve perused all the pants we could get our hands on (and legs into) – and from their eco-conscious materials to their transparent supply chains, these little numbers promise you the perfect fit for the planet and your privates. So keep your pants on – these brands have got you covered... NICO This simple, sexy and effortlessly stylish brand was the first underwear label to get accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia – so these…

“There’s a zero-waste revolution happening in Australia; things are changing, and people are embracing it” Whether it’s the plastic protecting your produce or the cardboard containing your cereal, all that packaging will probably end up in the bin. But for former fruit shop owners Emma Smith and Paul Medeiros, there’s a simple, old-fashioned solution to our waste-heavy shopping ways: buying unpackaged foods in bulk. In 2012, Emma and Paul opened bulk health foods store The Source Bulk Foods in the small town of Mullumbimby, New South Wales. Just four years later, the company is Australia’s biggest specialised bulk retailer, and its growing success could spell the start of a shopping revolution. “Life is getting busier and busier, and I think the time has come for us to slow down, appreciate…

“ By actively fermenting and teaching others to ferment, I have the joy and privilege of passing down wisdom from our ancestors that otherwise may have been lost”  Things were very different seven years ago. A self-confessed ‘global citizen’, Felicity was travelling the world in the thick of a corporate career as a busy event and conference manager. Beneath the glossy veneer, however, things weren’t all bubbles and bounce. During this period Felicity experienced a string of diseases – including chronic fatigue syndrome, malaria and dengue fever – that set her on a path of poor health, slowly ambling towards crisis point. When crisis eventually hit, Felicity embraced it as an opportunity to re-energise her life and ended up starting her own drinks business. Now, she’s driven by the hope…

That’s why we recently asked our readers (and our own team) to snap a photo and write a message to their body telling it what they love about it as part of our #projectdearbody. Our bodies deserve a few kind words as they so often bear the brunt of our frustrations, insecurities and envy. Let’s celebrate our bodies in all their glorious beauty!…

“ The more positive thoughts that you can add in... the less room there is for the unhelpful ones” Most of us probably can’t recall these details. But these are just a few of the questions Top Five Movement founder Clare Desira wants us to be asking ourselves daily so we can learn to engage with gratitude and live happier, healthier lives. What started as a simple habit of listing her top five moments of each day has since turned into an inspiring practice she’s sharing with the world through coaching, speaking, online tools and, most recently, a deck of 50 question cards to help prompt users to notice and appreciate the little things in life. It all began in 2006 when Clare returned home from work to find a…

The Byron Bay-based artist has travelled to some of Australia’s remotest corners collecting marine debris rope, which she weaves into stunning artworks that carry a subtle message about the state of our plastic-ravaged seas. Growing up on the surf coast of Victoria, Jess Leitmanis spent a lot of time with her toes in the sand. So it was kind of inevitable that she gravitated back to the water as an adult, first via a career as a graphic designer for major surf label Quicksilver, and later as a freelance illustrator creating ocean-inspired ink drawings. “It started with me walking along the beach, picking up things that didn’t belong there. There wasn’t a plan initially. I was just collecting micro-plastics, tiny pieces of rope and polystyrene as inspiration for a series…

“Relationship-building is really strong for us, and buying directly from designers and makers is a pleasure” owners: CARLIE BALLARD (PICTURED LEFT, AND INTERVIEW ANSWERS) HOLLY BOUVENG AND LINDA TAHIJA address: 40 SYDNEY ROAD, MANLY, NSW 2095 • CARLIE@CARLIEBALLARD.COM brands: CARLIE BALLARD, SO/FO, LINDA TAHIJA, KOWTOW, OSKAR THE LABEL, ALL THE WILD ROSES AND MORE How would you describe your shop? We stock good things for good people. The Darley Store celebrates the exciting future of good design in Australia. With an increasing amount of people shifting their purchasing habits in a more ethical direction in recent years, The Darley Store is encouraging its customers to be more mindful about what they’re wearing. We specialise in local, sustainable and transparent brands, accessories and homewares, and our collection of independent and aesthetic-driven…

She doesn’t even own a purse anymore. Those things just aren’t necessary, because she makes a grand total of zero dollars a year, and spends exactly that much, too. Two years ago, Jo decided to go moneyless as an experiment in ecological living. Turns out a life sans cash pays dividends. “There is so little that we really need to be comfortable and happy - and these are often not things we can buy with money” Rewind to 2014 and Jo Nemeth was living a fairly ordinary life: renting a house in the small NSW town of Casino, working part-time as a community development officer, driving a car, paying the bills. Aside from the usual stresses of keeping a roof over one’s head, Jo was mostly content with her life…

A qualified chef and keen home cook, Jane Grover is passionate about locally grown, seasonal, simple food that comes straight from the source. Based on the beautiful northern beaches of Sydney, Jane runs fresh produce market tours, cooking classes and live cooking shows in between devising delectable recipes. Following a recent flavourfilled trip around Australia’s southern coastline with her fisherman husband and teenage kids, Jane released her second cookbook, ‘Our Delicious Adventure’, a mouthwatering collection of 75 travel-inspired wholefood recipes. ingredients TACOS 600g flathead fillets ½ tsp poudre de piment d’Espelette (or sweet paprika) ½ tsp fine sea salt 250g cabbage, finely shredded 12 small flour tortillas (or gluten-free equivalent) LIME AND PAPRIKA MAYONNAISE 4 egg yolks 1 tsp Dijon mustard pinch of sea salt pinch of ground white pepper…

We’ve all heard the adage about your body being a temple. But what sort of temple would yours be at the moment? The kind with natural light pouring through the windows, the sweet scent of incense in the air and a feeling of calm and contentment? Or the kind that looks like the aftermath of that party you had when you were 17 and your parents went away for the weekend? Many of us probably fall in between those two extremes, but even so, it can be far too easy to forget all the things our bodies do for us – from the everyday, like getting us out the door in the mornings and making sure dinner’s on the table at night, to the exciting, like hiking up mountains and…

JO HOBAN writer I’m a writer and editor focused on art, design and healthy, creative lifestyles. I’m also just a little bit smitten with clay. What would you say to your body? I’m grateful to my body for its ongoing collaborative exchange with my mind and soul. And for generally carrying me through this weird and wonderful adventure that is life! NATALIE MCCOMAS photographer I’m a freelance photographer based out of sunny Queensland. My background is in social documentary photography and I regularly shoot personal projects in my spare time. What would you say to your body? I’m grateful for being able to experience this world with all my senses, especially my eyesight, as well as my general good health. KATHERINE SCHULTZ photographer I’m a 22-year-old photographer who cuddles babies…

“ Milling our own fabrics in Melbourne is a unique process. We work hand-in-hand with the technical team to recreate heritage fabrics and invent new ones.” But then production went offshore. Prices dropped. So did quality. And a throwaway culture developed. Fast fashion became ingrained in our purchasing habits. But Mark Pereira is trying to change this mindset. He’s founded Melbourne Apparel Co. – a conscious clothing brand producing minimalist cotton basics and denim for women and men, with the intention to use business as a platform to inspire solutions for environmental change. Mark’s first foray into denim was while working for Nobody Denim, where he gained an understanding of production standards within Australia and around the world, and the level (or lack) of consideration around sustainability within a supply…

 clear the air Need a shift in energy? Find your way through the mist with these natural aromatherapy room sprays! ROCK & CO CACTUS FLOWER AND QUARTZ ESSENCE Created for meditation and rituals to help you “open your heart and connect with inner wisdom”, this mist combines essential oils with a quartz crystal point in every bottle. $44.95 therockandcoshop.com.au SONIA ORTS BOTANICAL ALCHEMY PILLOW MIST This mist combines frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood and jasmine to help invoke the essence of eternal youth, and support inner balance and self-confidence. SENSUAL ATMOSPHERE $37 soniaorts.net COURTNEY + THE BABES CLEANSE An aura and home spray infused with juniper berry, lemon and lavender along with quartz crystals to purify, protect, cleanse and release negative energy. $40 courtneyandthebabes.bigcartel.com RASASARA ROOM & PILLOW MIST An organic Ayurvedic mist with ‘edible’…

1/ BENNETTO DRINKING CHOCOLATE We’re melting for this premium chocolate brand, which creates solid bars designed to be melted into warm milk for a delectable drinking experience. Bennetto chocolate is vegan, dairy free, Fairtrade Certified and made from premium organic 70% cocoa beans, and their glorious illustrated packaging is made from plant-based, renewable materials. bennetto.co.nz FROM $10 (TWIN PACK) 2/ YEALANDS FAMILY WINES SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC Wine down with a glass of this tripletrophy-winning tipple from Yealands, New Zealand’s sustainable wine production pioneers. This delightfully fruity drop – recently named the world’s best sauvignon blanc – is a refreshing, summery blend of guava, blackcurrant leaf, fresh herbs and crisp citrus notes. Raise a glass! yealandsestate.co.nz FROM $26 3/ MATKA TEA FLASKS Don’t be a mug – invest in one of these marvellous…

“All the Wayfarers are on a quest; some have just forgotten they are searching” Growing up with a pottery maker and teacher for a mum, Clairy quickly developed a knack for ceramics. She began making her own tableware in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until 2005, when she started working for a large pottery company, that she really honed her sculpting skills. Her signature range, known as the Wayfarers, is a charming collection of eccentric figurines inspired by Catholic iconography and the concept of pilgrims on a journey, while her distinctive cabbage tableware brings a verdant touch to any kitchen surface. Clairy makes every piece by hand, having developed her own techniques over 30 years of pottery-making; she shares her love of the craft by teaching ceramics classes, where she…

OUR FREE SEWING SCHOOL PATTERN IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY OEKAKI RENAISSANCE FROM TOYOTA HOME SEWING – A REVOLUTIONARY NEW SEWING AND FREE-MOTION EMBROIDERY MACHINE DESIGNED TO HELP YOU MAKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS. ‘DRAW’ YOUR IDEAS DIRECTLY ONTO FABRIC AND CREATE THE DESIGNS OF YOUR DREAMS FOR QUILTING, TEXTILE ARTS, DRESSMAKING, HOME FURNISHINGS AND MORE. download the pattern at www.peppermintmag.com/sewing-school…

We find it hard to accept and acknowledge our physical bodies just as they are, and to love them for all that they do for us. And we spend so much time hung up on ourselves and our ‘imperfections’ – time that could be better spent appreciating nature, nurturing our creativity, learning a new skill or carrying out acts of kindness for others. So, how can we make peace with our bodies and find true self-acceptance? We caught up with five incredible women who’ve reached a place of self-love and body positivity and are striving to help others do the same. We hope that their stories remind you of that one important truth: you are so much more than just your body. “I wish that every person on this planet…

But this isn’t a family home – these girls are victims of sexual abuse who’ve been taken in by Rafiki Mwema, a therapeutic children’s home and charity founded in 2011. Run by UK-based developmental psychotherapist Anne Marie Tipper and self-described “obsessive fundraiser” Sarah Rosborg from Lennox Head in New South Wales, Rafiki Mwema, which means ‘loyal friend’ in Swahili, aims to provide safety, healing and protection to these broken and traumatised children – giving them the space they need to recover and a place to call home. “We are planning a future where our girls have a voice and our boys become the men who will listen to that voice The children at Rafiki Mwema have experienced things that no child ever should, and the severity of their emotional scars…

It was a self-imposed challenge provoked by the frustration she felt around Australians’ excessive consumerism. She had returned from a stint of simple living in Indonesia, and found the contrast of her privileged homeland stark and confronting. With her now fouryear-old daughter Bo, Sash embarked on the Nothing New Project, as well as a period of transient living – house-sitting or swapping a comfortable place to sleep with a little work in orchards and gardens. That very first transient place where Sash and Bo stayed in the little town of Boyanup, Western Australia, in July 2014 is now the place they call home. “The way we live is simple - it’s steeped in a real love of both community and continuous learning and an unabashedly fierce commitment to making a…

CHALKYDIGITS Get set for summer with this vibrant patterned skirt from Chalkydigits. All their garments are ethically made in New Zealand, and a percentage of sales is donated to conservation initiatives. chalkydigits.co.nz THIS ROYAL PATH Made from 100% ecosoy wax, these candles are inspired by The Royal Path of Life book. Experience ‘True Greatness’ through berries, plum, orange flower and sandalwood. thisroyalpath.com ELK & INA Keep it comfy this summer in Elk & Ina’s Zoe Tee made from lightweight organic cotton. Handmade to order, this relaxed top also features Japanese-style cotton detailing. elkandina.com ILLUMINATURE Explore 10 of the world’s most diverse environments with Illuminature from Murdoch Books. View through a magic three-colour lens and watch as nature’s secrets are revealed! murdochbooks.com.au WOOLERINA Happiness is a pair of Woolerina’s Happy Pants!…

hair peace I was 13 years old when I lost my hair. It fell out so rapidly that I didn’t have time to process the loss, which happened within months; rather, I regarded the experience objectively, almost curiously, like a scientist conducting an experiment or a doctor handling a case study. It seemed absurd that I was struck by an illness I didn’t even know existed. Like many people, I had no idea what alopecia areata was, despite the fact around two percent of the Australian population (around half a million people) have some form of it. Ironically, an illness that results in something so visible – baldness – was largely invisible in mainstream society. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its hair follicles, making…

That’s why this enterprising pair is sending 76 women scientists to Antarctica on an incredible research expedition called Homeward Bound. The project not only intends to raise awareness about the lack of women in leadership roles, but for its participants to collaborate on finding solutions for a more sustainable future. Fabian explains the rationale behind Homeward Bound and what they’re hoping it can achieve...  What’s the aim of the Homeward Bound expedition? As well as the astonishing Antarctic expedition, Homeward Bound will be a 10-year outreach initiative that promotes women with a science background into positions of leadership affecting policy around the sustainability of our planet. This initiative aims to increase the visibility, leadership capability, strategic skill and engagement of 1000 women with a science background in order to influence…

Thirty years ago, she was hit by a speeding truck in a terrible accident that killed her Olympic dream and left her a partial paraplegic. Refusing to believe she would never walk again, Janine threw her fighting spirit into getting back onto her feet – and learning to fly planes. Renowned for her incredible courage and hired internationally as an inspirational speaker, it is only now that Janine is beginning to open up about a second calamity that hit her in 2002, dramatically altering the course of her life for the second time. “I’m not afraid of feeling fear anymore. I’ve felt it so often in my life that I see it as almost a guiding light. I turn towards my fear and I say: ‘Well, what can I learn…

“To me, it’s all about relationship-building and problem-solving. How can we do things better? What’s happening in the marketplace? How can we adjust?” No matter what your sartorial style, there’s a good chance you own at least one pair of jeans – in fact, the average woman is said to own seven. For such a universally loved fabric, denim can be disappointingly threadbare when it comes to sustainability – but one Australian brand is doing things differently. Since its small-scale beginnings as a family-run denim laundry in 1999, Melbourne’s Nobody Denim has been committed to local manufacturing and a transparent supply chain. Co-founders and brothers John and Nick Condilis know the value of jeans that are fairly made as well as a fabulous fit – so when it comes to…

And with thousands of salons operating across Australia, the combined effect is huge. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We spoke to the owners of three salons around the country who’ve switched to all-natural products and have implemented some impressive initiatives – from organic beverages and upcycled interiors to coconut-shell dye bowls and a pay-as-you-feel model – for a hair salon experience that’s rooted in nature. BRISBANE olive eco hair “We are conscious of the impact that hair care has on the planet, and so we’re choosing an ecofriendly approach that is essential for now and our future generations” JADE ATIA IS THE OWNER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT OLIVE ECO HAIR – A HOME-BASED SALON LOCATED DOWN A LEAFY GARDEN PATH IN THE BRISBANE SUBURB OF TARRAGINDI. How…

“Handmade is important because we’re in control. I can oversee the whole process and make sure that it’s ethical and produces minimal waste.” How did you and Laura start the label Abbey Rich? It was December of last year and I’d just quit my job at a supermarket and was planning to throw myself into my final year of textile design studies at RMIT. I put a few things on a Big Cartel store online – a jumpsuit, a dress and a few pillowcases – and posted about it on my Instagram, which only had a few hundred followers at the time, and things went from there. Laura and I were both interning at Obus in Northcote at the time, and we talked about doing some work together – Laura…

They’d never grown vegetables, let alone raised pigs, but they were drawn to the country and wanted to give a self-sufficient way of life a good hard go. What they’ve created is more than a hobby farm – A Plot in Common is a meeting place for the local community of growers and makers to gather, converse and learn from one another. “From the beginning it has always been about respecting the land and the animals - doing things as naturally as possible, in the most efficient and conscious way, and letting the land, the seasons, the animals all work together” The family had shifted south from the Gold Coast in Queensland to culturally heady Melbourne in 2010, seeking to better engage with some of their favourite inspirations – good…

But while most people come through Murwillumbah seeking nature – Mount Warning, five World Heritage national parks and the east coast’s spectacular beaches are all within easy driving distance – this quiet, unassuming town has plenty of charms of its own. With its attractive art deco buildings, friendly locals and burgeoning creative scene, Murwillumbah – which is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘camping place’ – combines quirky shops and galleries with locally sourced food and no shortage of attractions, making it a lovely place to lay your head for a night or two. SHOP BOHO & CO Across the bridge a few minutes from the town centre is the magical white wonderland that is Boho & Co. This historic timber barn is stocked to the brim with beautiful vintage,…

READ CLAY Amber Creswell Bell Sydney-based writer and curator Amber Creswell Bell is pretty savvy when it comes to ceramics, and her first book, Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans, is a gorgeous coffee table volume that offers equal parts aesthetic pleasure and fascinating insight into a unique and versatile art form. Clay and pottery have been enjoying a popularity surge lately, and you’re keen to understand more about what goes into the creation of those stunning ceramic pieces you’ve seen lining the shelves of shops and galleries (and possibly your own home), Clay is the book for you. It features profiles of 55 contemporary ceramic studio artists based all around the world, including Australia’s Milly Dent, Japan’s Akio Nukaga, Sweden’s Anna Lerinda and the UK’s Florian Gadsby. Creswell Bell interviewed each…