eco nursery style

It’s official - my baby’s bed is better than mine...

My favourite part is his lovingly handmade quilt, created by his great Aunt in Indiana. It’s just gorgeous - thank you Sharon!

Coming in a close second is his luxurious cot sheet set. Yes that’s right, luxurious. We were gifted a set of Elkie & Ark Fairtrade and organic cotton sheets, they are seriously silky smooth, and I will be buying myself a grown up set soon. See the following photos to see them without the quilt (though not too close up as they are slightly wrinkled from the laundry - busy Mama, not gonna iron sheets for an Instagram post 😂).

Of course he has a little lovey in his bed, also made with organic Fairtrade cotton, Kippins bunny named River - he was a lifesaver when we moved him into his own room a couple months ago!

Hidden from view is a wool mattress protector and a 100% natural latex mattress - both purchased from Nature Baby.

And you can see the top of his Oeuf cot, which will transform into a toddler bed, that I found secondhand from Gumtree. So great to be able to find sustainable wood  products secondhand.

I created the artwork on the walls, and framed them in frames made of reclaimed timber from Mulbury.

Oh yeah- and the paint on the walls is Bio Natural Paints that I bought from Eco at Home last year - the walls used to be a bright yellow - yikes! It’s now a soothing grey. I was so happy to be able to create exactly the colour I wanted from a natural, VOC-free paint, thanks to the colour-mixing experts at Eco at Home.

I did the best I could to create a sustainable nursery, this is just a snapshot from one corner. I’ll show you another corner another day, this nap time is almost over and I'll be chasing my little explorer all over the place before I know it!

Have a fabulous day!

xxLisa

cloth nappy conundrum

Today's blog post is not so much a lesson on the ins and outs of cloth nappies, but a tale of my experience learning the ropes of a new eco-habit.

When I last wrote I had a big belly full of baby. I welcomed my beautiful son into the world on Boxing Day: as a colleague of mine so eloquently put it, life with a newborn is full and exhausting. Now that I have rounded the corner on my son's first three months of life I feel I can finally come up for air (from time to time, anyway).

Before I had my baby I assumed I'd use cloth nappies (that's diapers for my American readers!). Why in the world would I, a so-called sustainable living expert, even consider using disposables? A friend gave me her collection of cloth nappies so I didn't have to fork out the cash for new ones, and then my husband's colleagues gifted us a month of a cloth nappy service so we wouldn't have to deal with the laundry as we adjusted to life with a newborn. Too easy!

Then baby arrived.

The adjustment to being a parent was larger than I ever could have imagined. Besides my own physical recovery (which was longer and harder than I realised it would be), and the all encompassing exhaustion in the earliest weeks, there was so much to do, learn and understand. When he first came home my son's meals needed to be supplemented by formula and I had to connect myself to a breast pump after each feeding to get my supply up. This meant lots of time washing and sterilising bottles and pump equipment on top of the feeding time itself, which was nearly an hour when he was brand new. Then an endless stream of questions and decisions arose: why is he crying? How is best to bathe him? How to dress him in the stinking hot Sydney summer? How can I help his reflux? Is it too hot to go for a walk? Is he overstimulated? Is he under stimulated? How can I help him sleep?! Etc, etc, etc.

As it turns out I couldn't even fathom cloth nappies for the first couple weeks of his life. We have, however, used reusable cloth wipes his entire life - just small cotton or bamboo clothes and water, soak the used ones in a bucket of pre-soak, and wash a bundle once a week. They always come clean (somehow!) without bleach, and dry quickly on the line. Super easy.

Then we started using the gifted nappy service - Lavenderia. It's a cloth nappy system consisting of cloth inserts and a (mostly) waterproof outer cover. When my son was tiny, though, there were a number of leaks, even on the smallest sizing of the cover, and he got nappy rash quite quickly. After a few leaks that led to changing bassinet sheets at 2 in the morning and a persistent nappy rash, I told my hubby I needed a break until I at least felt more confident in other areas of being a mum. I was surprised that I gave up so quickly given my passion for the environment, but it seemed like one of the quickest changes to make my life as a new mum a bit easier (and I am one of the incredibly lucky ones who had a lot of support from my husband and relatives who visited from the US.).

So, fast forward to the 3 month stage, my beautiful boy has some seriously healthy (read: chubby) thighs so leaks should not be an issue, and so we started up with Lavenderia again. The kind owner of the business has been incredibly helpful at showing us how to adjust the snaps to get the right size for our son (key tip here, make the leg and waist holes even smaller than you may think). I was impressed with the personal attention and felt grateful for the support.

Look at those gorgeous chubby legs!

Now my main gripe with cloth nappies is aesthetic. They are very bulky in comparison to disposables (I have been using Tooshies by TOM as an environmentally-friendly version of disposables) and look enormous. I don't love the look of just having the cloth outer covers as his bottoms (hello, fashion lover here!) and they do not fit well under most of the 3-6 month clothes I have for my little guy.  I tried using just one cloth insert to make them less bulky, but it wasn't enough to absorb all the wee from my wee little boy and I had some leakage through the outer cover.

I have managed to squeeze them under this adorable Carlie Ballard nappy cover.

I am also dealing with nappy rash again. He hasn't had it using the disposables, but now is getting a little bit now that we're on the cloth. Lavenderia suggest changing the nappy every 2-3 hours to prevent it, but (blissfully) I have a great nighttime sleeper on my hands and he is wearing the nappy for long stretches at night.

And, finally, they are less convenient than disposables. There's no denying it. Even with this easiest introduction into cloth nappies with the use of a service, it takes just a little bit longer to change him than using disposables, and requires a little bit more organisation if you're going to be out and about (not to mention space), and time is severely limited with a new bub (and not something you want to squander at that 3am feed and nappy change).

So between the bulkiness, the occasional leak, the nappy rash and (slight) inconvenience, I'm questioning the use of cloth nappies. And I am not even doing the laundry! I have even found myself researching life cycle analysis of cloth versus disposable nappies (there are many conflicting reports, so I am going to keep researching, but common sense suggests reusable is always better than a single-use disposable item, right?).

Once again I am surprised at how quick I am to consider giving up cloth nappies. I don't want to beat myself up - adjusting to being a full time mum is major, and there are so many new aspects to my life that take up time and energy - and yet, what kind of environmentalist am I if I am willing to ditch the cloth nappies so easily? I feel incredibly conflicted, and yet still find myself drawn to the ease of disposables (even as I picture overflowing landfills and depleting natural resources).

I love to write blog posts that give my readers advice or expertise, but for this first post of my new role as a mum, I thought I'd just be honest about an environmental dilemma I am facing. It's an important reminder to me (and other environmentalists) about the significance of individuals' everyday realities when it comes to adopting pro-environmental behaviour. Of course it all sounds so straightforward - here, use this cloth nappy service, it's better for the environment (or recycle, avoid fast fashion, buy organic food, use renewable energy, etc). But in reality, there are multiple facets to everyone's lives that either support or preclude pro-environmental behaviour. And it turns out that even I am not immune.

I will stick with Lavenderia for now, except on days when I am out and about (they really are bulky and would take up a lot of room in the nappy bag!). And I may move over to DIY-laundry cloth nappies in the future. But I'm not loving the experience or finding it as easy as I thought I would, and I'm seriously not happy about them not fitting under most of his clothes (the majority of which are secondhand, but more on that in a later post). I have always tried to be honest with my readers about my adoption of sustainable lifestyle activities, so I thank you for indulging me in this rant.

Have you used cloth nappies? Do you have tips for me?

Take care until next time.
xxLisa

PS - my husband and I also had a lesson in toileting your baby, as in toilet-training from infancy, to avoid this whole conundrum altogether. Sounding like a pretty great idea to me right now....

long live the manly food co-op

If you've read my book you'll know that the Manly Food Co-op and I got off to a rocky start. What is up with all these bins? Am I really meant to bring my own containers? What do all the different prices mean? And how much did I just spend on olive oil (while distracted from the beautiful Brazilian checkout boy)?

Fast forward 8 years and I am a Manly Food Co-op pro (it helps that it moved to a larger, brighter, swankier space). My husband and I can collect our containers from home and do a "big shop" in about an hour - including getting all the beautiful organic, local, packaging-free ingredients for two flavours of homemade muesli, stocking up on pantry essentials like rice, legumes, and nuts, and gathering whatever produce strikes our fancy. Ty has volunteered off and on over the years, and this year I've been volunteering as Director of Sustainability. We honestly don't know what our lives would be like without the Co-op.

Unfortunately we may soon face the reality of a life without the Co-op and the sense of community it brings us. The Manly Food Co-op is facing closure if we don't raise $50,000 (AUD) by 20 August. That's just over a week from now! The details of why we need that amount and what it will be used for are on the Pozible crowdfunding site, so I won't get into it here.

What I do want to say here is how important I think places like the Co-op are for building community and for offering the potential to radically change our food system.

When the Co-op was founded over 21 years ago by Keelah Lam and other local environmentals, they had a vision to offer clean, affordable food to the Manly community that was better for the planet and better for people's health. Those same values drive the Co-op today, and are as important as ever as governments and corporations seem hell bent on keeping polluting, wasteful practices as the norm. If you watched the War on Waste and saw the latest report about how some of our recyclables only get recycled 50% of the time you will know the importance of avoiding packaging in the first instance.

As we like to say at the Co-op, we never had to ban the plastic bag, because we never used it in the first place.

In addition to waste avoidance - and pollution avoidance (and health benefits) of buying organic - the community of the Co-op has enormous revolutionary potential. As I've been writing about in my thesis lately, the way to change practices (like grocery shopping) to be more sustainable is not to focus on individual behaviour change, but to focus on creating networks and building connections. Building networks provides emotional support, but also supports multiple ideas to come together to start to change the system itself, which then enables everyone to have a more sustainable shopping experience.

This week I've been blown away by the passion of the fundraising committee - including my husband. It seems I have fallen even more in love with him this week (had no idea that was possible!) as I've seen his fighting spirit come alive, and heard him speak with tenderness of the love he feels for the Co-op as he contacts some of the 600+ Co-op members to raise the funds to save the shop. In less than 2 days they have raised over $12,000. I have witnessed the power of community, the power of this network, as it is rallying together to save an institution they love.

If you are passionate about stopping food and packaging waste, supporting organic farming, and the idea of changing the food system to be more sustainable, equitable and healthy, can I ask you to do me a favour and donate to the Manly Food Co-op fundraising campaign? If you are a local, you can contribute while getting (or renewing) a membership, or take advantage of some awesome rewards (like a sailing excursion or a tour of Keelah's house and beehive!). If not, consider it a donation toward a space that is trying to set the standard for a new way of providing food.

Long live the Manly Food Co-op!

getting crafty

I'm not the world's craftiest person, but I do love a good hands-on creative project. Last week I managed to work on a project I've been meaning to for - not joking - three years (at least!).

My homemade, hand-stitched cushion cover.

When I was in East Africa in 2012 I bought some gorgeous fabric. Anyone who has been to the region knows the incredible textiles that are used in dress and for decoration known as khanga, or the thicker kitenge. Typically made of cotton and woven in Kenya and Tanzania, it's impossible not to admire the beautiful colours and bold prints on this traditional cloth. The markets are filled with stalls and shops selling the cloth, and I loved seeing the women wearing these beautiful garments everywhere we went on our travels.

I only bought a few khangas (perhaps subconsciously knowing it would take me years to use them), but every time I look at the beautiful materials I'm taken back to Tanzania and the sights, smells and sounds of that magical country.

Fast-forward to last week - I finally made one cushion cover with the fabric. I made it by hand because I don't have a sewing machine, I'm not great with a sewing machine, and it was nice meditative work at the end of my busy days.

The khanga, the old cushion needing recovering, and my
calculations for measuring the fabric.

Midway through the project - I'd successfully sewed
finished seams and pinned the pieces together.

I followed the clear guidance of Hey There Home and was amazed at how easy it was to create this cover, even for a sewing novice like me. If you've been wanting to freshen up your home without spending a fortune, I can vouch for the ease of making these envelope cushion covers. I am going to make a few more to sit alongside this beauty (this project didn't even use a quarter of the fabric), and keep thinking about what to do with the other cloth I have.

How great are these colours?!

I love filling my house with memories from my travels, and was glad to reuse an old cushion that was worse for wear (and not matching my current colour scheme). Have you worked on any fun, crafty projects lately? I'd love to hear about them!

Have a great week.
xxLisa

Sustainability in the House

The Sydney Opera House, that is.

Earlier this week I set my alarm extra early for a very special date at the Opera House. And though an icy wind whipped through my hair and chilled me to the bone, all my worries were forgotten as I approached our iconic landmark, standing out against the clear blue sky and sparkling harbour. I found myself attempting a selfie alongside the excited tourists, as if I hadn't seen her over a thousand times before.

Whoosh! That wind!

The reason for my special date was the official launch of the Airbnb Sustainability Tour of the Sydney Opera House. Now the public (that's us!) can get beneath the sails of the world's most famous house and not just see backstage, but also see its incredible sustainability initiatives firsthand.

I had the best time!

There were plenty of eco-facts for sustainability geeks like me, an amazing music and lighting display in the Concert Hall, and a behind-the-scenes tour like you've never experienced that included the 'expected' Green Room and staging areas plus the waste management room and seawater cooling towers, among other sites. And there is plenty of opportunity to ask questions of the Sydney Opera House team and chat with fellow sustainability fans.

Airbnb Australia Country Manager Sam McDonagh
Sydney Opera House Director of Building, Greg McTaggart (who retires
next week - thank you for all you've done for the House!)
NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy, Adam Marshall
Credit: Anna Kucera

There I am! Listening to Sydney Opera House Sustainability Manager,
Naomi Martin, our charming hostess for the morning.
Credit: Anna Kucera

Last year the Opera House was granted a 4 Star Green Star - Performance rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). You may recall that I've worked for the GBCA, and I know that it is incredibly difficult for older buildings to achieve today's sustainable building standards and earn a Green Star rating, so this is no small feat.

Thanks to Utzon's original design (which included minimal yet durable materials, a pioneering seawater cooling system, and self-cleaning tiles), and the dedicated sustainability and building management teams at the Sydney Opera House, our most cherished house is also an incredibly green house. A couple of the most intriguing stats:

• The Concert Hall lighting system - which you see in action during the tour - was replaced with all LED lights with multiple colour setting, including 'heritage lighting' for those who like their symphony old school. As a result, there was a 75% reduction in energy requirements, a cost savings of $70,000 per year in electricity alone. And because the lights last much longer, they have to be changed less frequently, cutting down on labour costs and waste. 
• Waste Management - the House went from 2 waste streams to eight recycling streams including co-mingled (glass, plastics & cans), paper, cardboard, lightbulbs, e-waste, polystrene. They also work with OzHarvest to collect uneaten but still edible food, and compost other food waste. (Seriously, if the Opera House has figured this out - can't we all?)
  
  

More of those amazing lights. And once the music began - magic.
Credit: Anna Kucera

Airbnb came on board to sponsor the tours - making a connection between the sustainability benefits of choosing Airbnb over traditional hotels. Country Manager Sam McDonagh explained, "We're proud to launch this sustainability tour in partnership with the Sydney Opera House to further inspire locals and visitors to be more environmentally aware by learning about the sustainable practices for the world's most famous house."

Also in attendance at the event were Airbnb superhosts who are passionate about sustainability in their homes, as well as sustainable home 'royalty', Off-the-Grid guy Michael Mobbs, who owns the  Sustainable House in Chippendale.

That's Michael Mobbs in the hat - he's been off the grid for decades,
and right in the heart of Sydney!
Credit: Anna Kucera

If you have any interest at all in sustainability or the Sydney Opera House, this is an incredible opportunity. The tours run at 8am on Tuesday mornings for a limited time until 29 November 2016. Head over to the Sydney Opera House website to book now before it books out!

And if you need any final convincing, you get a super cute
Frank Green SmartCup, because disposable cups are SO last century.

trash to treasure

My longtime readers will know that I love fixing up old furniture, like this dresser I found on the street, and the bookshelf I write about in Sustainability with Style.

I've just had the pleasure of fixing up some bar stools - also found on the street. (What other cities do this as much as Sydney? Especially its seaside towns?!).

I had been keeping my eye out for some used barstools to put in our kitchen, which is galley-style and separate from where we eat, but inevitably gets crowded with people whenever we have guests over for a meal. Everyone loves to hang in the kitchen, am I right?

Then I spotted these beauties just a block from my home, and rushed home to get the assistance of my hubby to carry them both home before someone else got to them.

The stools had clearly been living an 'outdoor lifestyle' for awhile, there was even a mushroom growing out of one of them, but I knew I could give them a second life and a new home.

Two trips to Bunnings later, and the proud owner of primer, a carefully selected paint colour (with low VOCs, of course, although not as 'natural' a paint as I'd used on the abovementioned dresser), wood filler to deal with some wood rot, and felt tips to add to the bottom of the legs so we don't scratch the floors, I was ready to make the transformation.

Step 1
A good clean, including sanding back the paint on the wood, scraping away rust on the metalwork and dealing with the mushrooms.

Step 2
A good layer of primer.

Step 3
Apply wood filler to deal with gashes and rot - you can see the main problem area in the photo above.

Step 4
Realise I should have done the wood filler first, and do another quick layer of primer. (There are always a few extra steps in any DIY project, right?)

Step 5
Paint! It took three coats to get the depth of colour that I was seeking, but it was worth it in the end.

I tackled the bottoms first, after watching a few help videos on YouTube.

After two layers - still a bit showing through the paint.

Finished project! Here they are in the kitchen.

I've decided to keep one in the entry, both to keep the kitchen un-cluttered,
and also because the colour works well with our map and pillows, and adds
a nice splash of colour along that wall.

What do you think? I'm totally thrilled with this pop of colour, and happy to know my guests will have somewhere to rest while chatting with us in the kitchen.

Have you done any fun refurbs lately? I'd love to see your pics!

xxLisa

PS - I have a lot of this paint left, so let me know if you'd like it for one of your own projects.

sustainable shopping : oz fair trade

I recently had the opportunity to interview Qinnie, founder of Oz Fair Trade.

 
Qinnie founded this charity online shop following a life-changing trip around Southeast Asia a few years ago. After learning her inspirational story I wanted to share it with you and show you some of the most stylish pieces from the shop. (When you click through scroll to the bottom of the product pages to read descriptions of the people who made the products.)

L : Tell me about your trip to Southeast Asia - did you go there with an intent to investigate fair trade issues, or as a tourist?

Q : I took an Intrepid Tour to Southeast Asia in late 2012, which was intended as a relaxing holiday. It was the first time that I visited these countries (Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam), and I certainly did not expect it to change my life. Having grown up in Shanghai and then Sydney, I never witnessed extreme poverty firsthand. . . when we visited a village on the bank of Mekong River in Laos, I was still shocked to see how tough life was for these people. Houses were made with bamboo and mud; children were drinking from a dirty river; and there was no school. I left with a heavy heart, and looking back, that was the moment that my life was changed. [After learning about undetonated bombs from the Vietnam War and Cambodia's landmine problems] I returned to Australia with a burning desire to make an impact. I learnt that traditional aid was failing to break the poverty cycle, and that new thinking is required.

Recycled Bombshell range - $44.95

L : What were the first products you decided to sell?

Q : The first products I had online were handmade jewellery from Yunnan, China and handwoven silk scarves from Thailand and Laos. I fell in love with colourful ethnic culture and I wanted to sell products that were unique and outstanding. Since then, I have learned a lot more about fair trade and I have learnt to choose my suppliers more carefully. I have also learnt that the future of fair trade is mainstream, so I have been sourcing products that are ethical alternatives to everyday living.

Batik Animal Cushion with eco-pillow insert - $49.95

L : Are all the products Fair Trade certified?

Q : I think it's important that shoppers know where products come from, so I'm totally transparent about supplier information. Currently more than 90% of Oz Fair Trade products are from certified Fair Trade producers. While food can be labelled ''Fair Trade", handicrafts cannot. They can only be certified at the producer level. The other 10% [of products on the site] come from small villages where women work from home to supplement income. I think it's important to know that not all groups have the capacity to go through the certification process. This is one area I will discuss with the Fair Trader of Australia as part of my application. I was to be a certified Fair Trader so that shoppers can have complete confidence in the 'fairness' of the products that Oz Fair Trade sells.

Tablet sleeve made in Nepal - $24.95

L : Do you have a favourite product on your site right now?

Q : My current favourite product range is alpaca winter scarves from a certified Fair Trade producer group in Bolivia. They are very soft and warm. I helped them to design the current range, and I wanted to help them to earn an income in their summer months (i.e. Australia's winter).

Alpaca Scarf - $45 (sale price)

My all time favourite is the recycled bombshell range, which helps to spread the message of peace and shows the resilience of Lao and Cambodian people. Many customers have commented on how amazing it is that something so terrible can be turned into something so beautiful.

Recycled bombshell earrings - $44.95

L : I see you have an interest in microfinance - tell me why this is a passion of yours, and how it can make a difference?

Q : My profession as an actuary led me to learn a bit about microfinance. I am a huge fan in collective power and innovative ways to link those who are willing to help and those who are desperate for help. I have been lending through Kiva since January 2013, and only just thought of linking my lending activities on Kiva with Oz Fair Trade. I have also been helping the Actuaries Institute to build a microfinance website to foster greater discussion and understanding of microfinance within the actuary profession, because I believe that we have a great skill set to contribute to the cause.

I see fair trade and microfinance as two long-term strategies for poverty reduction. Many people don't have access to basic financial products like a saving account or a mortgage loan, which Australians take for granted. For example, a shop needs inventory, and without initial investment it is impossible to open a shop. Another example is farming, which requires crops and fertilisers. Microfinance allows these people to gain access to small loans to start a new business, plant new crops, build a house, etc.

Cross-stitched cushion with eco-pillow insert - $64.95

For every $100 spent on Oz Fair Trade, a $25 loan will be provided to the world's poorest through Kiva.

Well! What an inspiring and dedicated woman you are, Qinnie! I loved hearing your story and seeing your passion put to work to give people around the world a hand up.

If you know of any other inspiring people out there that you think I should know (or maybe you are one yourself!), please get in touch,

xxLisa

diy delight : harissa

I don't know about you, but I am not coping well with winter. Hailing from snow-capped Utah, I feel slightly embarrassed admitting Sydney winter is getting to me; I blame the lack of central heating and poor insulation in my gorgeous (but old) apartment block.

One tactic I'm using to stay warm is cooking soups and stews. Tonight I'm going to make this Moroccan Vegetable Stew I spotted in the weekend paper - my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Thanks, Bill, for the Veggie Stew recipe! So many recipes
in the weekend papers feature meat. This is hearty, healthy,
eco-friendly recipe was a pleasant surprise.

One of the ingredients in the stew is harissa. I didn't have any on hand, and I try and avoid buying packaged foods when I can help it, so I googled a recipe to make my own version of this warming, zesty chili paste. I found a very simple harissa recipe courtesy of SBS, and was able to whip it together in just under 30 minutes.

I loved this simple recipe with only 7 ingredients.

Taking out the chilli seeds was the most time consuming aspect of this recipe. I also included fewer than the half-the-seeds in the recipe; these chillies were fairly spicy and I can't take too much heat.

Not too much of a mess was made for this culinary creation.

Because both my hubby and I hate to waste packaging, nearly every time we buy something in a jar we wash it and keep it for later use. Typically the jars get filled with food from the Manly Co-op (strictly BYO packaging at the Co-op) . . .

Here's a shelf from my pantry - one jar filled with Co-op tahini,
another with dried chickpeas - I wonder if my hubby is dropping
a hint for me to make homemade hummus?

. . . but today one of the jars got filled with my homemade harissa.

The finished product

This harissa tastes delish, packs a punch and is packaging free. Do you make any sauces or special seasonings from scratch? I'd love to hear your recipes!

Stay warm out there my friends.
xxLisa

a green planting fling

Check out the latest additions to my dining room!

I've wanted plants for ages. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I've lived with these gorgeous little pots I picked up in the Garage Sale Trail since the day I moved into my apartment - over 6 months ago. Eek! I paid $2 for all of them, and they've just been sitting pretty this whole time, waiting for me to get my act together.

Finally last weekend, when the cold finally worked its way into my apartment enough to warrant the purchase of a heater, I took a slight detour while at Bunnings and picked up some delightful little succulents as well.

Once I got them home the planting process took well under 15 minutes.

I absolutely love the colour they bring to my dining table and appreciate the healthy air they provide me (did you know that just a few plants can reduce indoor air pollution, improve creativity and productivity, and reduce stress?). How did I possibly lived without them for this long!

If you have any tips on great indoor plants I'd love to hear them, I'm in the market for a couple of small trees to add a little bit more green to my home.

Oh, and for those who are wondering, I am not an oil pulling convert yet (I am managing to do it about 50% of the time) but I haven't given up. I even got my gorgeous hubby to give it a try, and in his words, "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Well said my Darling.

a green gumtree garden fling

Last night I attended opening night of the Gumtree Garden in The Rocks, Sydney (by the way, how amazing are The Rocks?!).

This quirky pop up bar in Kendall Lane, squeezed between Pony Lounge and the Orient Hotel on Argyle St, was created in 48 hours using items found on Gumtree.

I am a massive fan of Gumtree. Australia's free classifieds website makes my sustainable lifestyle so doable. I've bought and sold many items over the years, everything from furniture to surfboards to bicycles, and even found people seeking household compost - so helpful for apartment-living composters with no gardens of their own!

I've spent a fair amount of time on Gumtree this month as I re-settle into Sydney and need to fill my home after selling nearly everything last May. The Gumtree Garden was the perfect excuse for me to raise my glass to an organisation that enables my sustainable lifestyle.

Designer Dana Tomic-Hughes created a whimsical wonderland with Gumtree goodies for the Garden. It is a fabulous showcase of on-trend, secondhand style, and a perfect Sydney summer pop up bar.

Lots of plants, umbrellas, and lampshade-lanterns.
Photo credit Twitter

This photo must've been taken before I arrived, the bar was always crowded!
Photo credit Twitter

 

Beautifully-styled vintage rooms with comfy seating.
Photo credit Twitter

How great are these chairs?! And gorgeous hydrangeas, too.
Photo credit Twitter

Plants, clocks, vintage furniture - what's not to love?

I spotted a couple rugs like the below one I just bought from EcoChic, they are made of recycled poly bags. I wonder if these were really found on Gumtree? Well done if they were secondhand, but no complaints from me if they weren't used, they are still eco-fabulous.

I'm in love with my yellow Granada rug!

 

You can enjoy the Garden today and tomorrow as well - open during the day to all ages, and 18 and over from 5pm onward. Enjoy!