Media & Art

Current obsession: coconut water

Current obsession: coconut water

I’ve replaced my daily takeaway coffee with a daily coconut water. And boy is my body ever cleaner and happier for it. The number of coconut waters gracing the market now is something extraordinary. My local is usually never short of Cocobella. I also luurrve C Coconut Water and Dr. Antonio Martin’s CoCo Juice

Peppermint Magazine (pictured) does a great li’l writeup of this insanely healthy bevvie in their latest and greatest issue yet (imho) – Autumn 2012. I had the pleasure of meeting Pep’s Deputy Editor, Tess Curran the other evening and I have to say that I’m really rather excited the previously mostly-Brisbane-based publication going to be corresponding now from Melbourne, Australia. No matter where you are, howevs – if you’re not into Peppermint Mag yet, go there. It’s a leading voice in sustainable style – zero BS.

- MZ.

Store profile: Mandrake and Willow

Store profile: Mandrake and Willow

An interview with Llara Goodall, about her boutique Mandrake and Willow in Melbourne’s inner west…

How long has Mandrake and Willow been open, and why did you choose Yarraville?

We opened Mandrake and Willow in September of 2009. I’ve lived in Melbourne’s inner city suburbs since I was a teen, but had only recently heard of Yarraville when my brother moved there.

One of the first things I noticed about Yarraville was the community atmosphere. I love being part of a little village with such great support from the locals. You won’t find the proliferation of chain stores you would in most areas, there are a really diverse and eclectic mix of small stores and cafes. Not to mention it is so close to the city and easy to get to on public transport.

Tell us about your motivations in setting up Mandrake and Willow.

I think the initial idea came just from noticing the shop for lease on a visit to my brother. I had really come to love the area and myself, my sister Kyli and another friend of ours (who has since left the business) had faced the same challenge as a lot of people in finding socially and environmentally responsible products. We really wanted to provide a haven where every item in the store would reflect these values. We decided the opportunity was too good to pass up.

Was your background in retail, or something else? 

I have worked as a sales assistant in various shops over the years – in fact almost ten years now. I have also worked in costume and fashion, so Mandrake and Willow kind of brings the two together.

What’s inspiring your direction for 2012?

As well as being retailers we are, of course also consumers. So, we look to our own likes/needs to envisage the types of products we stock. We continue to look at sourcing products which – as well as meeting our criteria on ethics- are unique in their creativity and design. Pieces that transcend “trends” and will be cherished for years to come!

Who are your favourite designers/products in store?

Bespoke plush toy by Cat Rabbit.

The amazing thing about having our own store is that we get to choose only things we really love! It’s great that we can support local artists and craftspeople, and one of my favourites we have in store is Cat Rabbit. Her plush toys are amazing, I find it difficult not to take them all home for myself!

Also, I don’t know why but I’ve personally always had a little obsession with shoes and hosiery. We are lucky to stock some great Melbourne-made tights and socks from the likes of Tightology and Ok Ok – and with Melissa Shoes in store, let’s just say my shoe collection has grown somewhat.

Anything else you’d like to share?

It’s encouraging that there are so many people interested in making positive changes to support the planet and the people who live on it. It’s true there are still challenges to face but with so much enthusiasm and growing awareness of the importance of the ethical and sustainable production of goods, we are genuinely excited about the future!

 

Mandrake and Willow  - 66 Anderson Street, Yarraville VIC 3013

For the love of recycled paper.

An interest of mine treading close to obsession: products made from recycled paper and cardboard. It started in earnest with all things stationery, and is blossoming into general infatuation with the whole design potential of this wonderfully versatile medium. For example, I utterly adore this chair, below, made by designer Sarah Mouchot under her cardboard-loving label Bibi Carton. Anyhow, in trying not to get too carried away, today’s post shares some designs made with this most abundant of post-consumer resources, in the theme of festive gifting.

Ben, cardboard chair by Bibi Carton. What's not to want?

Natural, 100% recycled paper card stock is the all the rage, yo. And right now, I’m pretending to be your loving conscience, prodding you to not leave getting these things ’til the last minute. I’m talking about cards, gift tags, wrapping papers and er, ‘stocking fillers’. (Do people really still do that? let’s collectively call them ‘delightful finishing touches’.) Actually, I’m nagging you to order online now, if you’re thinking about it. Nag nag, do it. Order. Time is of the essence, children. Here are my picks.

Earth Greetings, with Inaluxe.

Earth Greetings have teamed up with designers Kristina Sostarko and Jason Odd, from Inaluxe. But don’t just ask us, State of Green have ALL the info, and are selling them online. They’re also available in-store at Green Collective, or from Earth Greetings‘ online store, direct. Options abound! Cards are $5.95 each or in super-value packs, $14.95 for 10. I’m in looooove with the wrapping paper though, $5.95 per sheet. Never mind the presents, I’d buy this for myself as a wall print. Hmm. Now that’s an idea!

Inaluxe wrapping paper and card design, from Earth Greetings.

If you wanted the actual Christmas themed cards from Earth Greetings, you’d also be sponsoring a tree planted through Trees for Life. $14.95 for a pack of 10. The gift tags come in the same 5 designs, $6.95 for a pack of 10. The safe bet.

Earth Greetings Christmas gift tags and card set.

Velvet Lyric, on Etsy.

These cute gumnut inspired cards come also come with colour coordinated holly & ivy gift tags. Designed by Elizabeth Dansie, an interior designer turned experimental stationer, these cards are just one bright pick from her well-sized range. Cards, $4 each available via Etsy. Gift tags, available from Green Collective.

Velvet Lyric cards & gift tags by Elizabeth Dansie. Doily cards by Kyrie Kohlhagen.

Messagemark, with Kyrie Kohlhagen.

Designed by Adelaide-based artist Kyrie Kohlhagen, Christmas doily message cards are chlorine free, and the whole process adopts a closed loop ethos, where by-products of the papermaking & printing process are reused and recycled. Available via Passionfroot.com at $20 for a pack of 10.

Left: Skye's the limit gift tags and right: Ask alice notebook.

Skye’s the limit gift tags.

Made with heavyweight card and natural string, by Sydney designer Skye Rogers. Packs contain 3 different styles. Available via Notemaker, $9.50 for 12. Simple & classy.

Ask alice

Ask alice also adopt a closed-loop practice, expending as low carbon miles as possible – or should we say kilometres? All materials are sourced within a 5km radius of production in Melbourne. Founder and designer Sass Cocker is quite serious about ethical business and sustainability. This 48 page notebook is a perfectly good value gift at $6.95. The range is available online through NoteMaker or try here for stockists.

–

Cassie.

This website is a 100% labour of love. We’re here to bring great quality, passionately reviewed ethical, ecological and sustainable options to intelligent, tasteful and compassionate individuals who want to do the right thing, and live well at the same time.

In the sidebar to the left you can see a snapshot of some of the kinds of products, services and businesses that we will be covering here, introducing you to (and giving away too… ooh!).

Superéthique is Melbourne-based, Australia-wide in scope (we’ll be expanding nationally, soon), and will frequently feature international products and businesses.

We believe it’s easy to be good, and our mission is to make it even easier. To read more about what we do and who we are, click here.

Our first review will be hitting the front page by the weekend of Saturday 6th August, 2011, and we’re phenomenally excited about it!

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Thank you so much for joining us – we’re thrilled to be starting this journey with you.

Ming-Zhu & Cassie. x

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