Gettin' busy, makin' zines and viddys..

Have you locked in this Thursday evening in your calendar for the Auckland Zinefest market at First Thursdays? I'm excited! I even made a little zine with my ramblings from Faerie Tales. Check it out in the video above *:-)

Zines are my latest obsession (can you tell?) Emma Dajska wrote a cool Zine 101 article for Rookie  and wrote these rad words:

"Zines are self-published, small-circulation, often nonprofit books, papers, or websites. They usually deal with topics too controversial or niche for mainstream media, presented in an unpolished layout and unusual design. Everyone, from a major NGO to a teenager like you, can be an author (and also an editor, art director, and publisher) of a zine, and that’s part of what makes them so awesome."

I came across the awesome database QZAP (Queer Zine Archive Project) today and totally recommend checking it out. I want to read and make #ALLTHEZINES! Drop me a tweet if you have come across a cool data base that I should check out yeah?

Did you know that Auckland City Library has a zine collection with a zine librarian? Way awesome! I think a zine librarian should be called a zibrarian. Think it will catch on? I've just found out that the library's collection hosts 600 hand crafted publications. So rad! The zibrarian will be at First Thursdays with some works from the collection.

I officially have a new hobby/life calling!

Thank goodness I get free printing at school...

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Hello Monday

Image: Ink Stomp / Etsy

My dear friend Andrew made me giggle with this tweet over the weekend:

Hello Monday, Helloooooo productivty!

XX

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The Caker x Calypso Paoli

Jordan Rondel (aka The Caker) and Calypso Paoli teamed up together to make this cute short film for The Caker. Featuring garments by Stolen Girlfriends Club, jewelry by Zoe&Morgan and cakes by The Caker this is clip has some cute energy. I want all the cake!

XX

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On marriage

Today I experienced something very special. A very quiet moment of intense relief. 

My dear friend Hannah sent me a message this afternoon that started out with these words: 

"In light of todays announcement, I think a celebratory drink is in order...." 

My heart skipped a beat! I quickly logged onto the interwebs and found the news I was hoping to see.

Today, Labour MP Louisa Wall's Marriage Equality amendment bill was drawn from the ballot box in parliament. This bill has the potential to update New Zealand's definition of marriage to include protection for queer and gender diverse couples, couples who experience gender transition over the course of their marriage and open the door for greater discussion on adoption laws which currently only allow a single person or a married couple to adopt a child (ruling out a same sex couple).

Many friends have heard me rant and rave about the institution of marriage being one that reinforces oppressive hierarchies of certain relationships over others but I am very excited to see this step being made. I think it is really important to remember that there is all sorts of equality to fight for in our communities. And this is one of those things to fight for.

Drop your local MP an email and tell them that equality matters. This bill still has a long way to go and part of the process includes Members of Parliament figuring out which way they should vote. 

The precious feeling I experienced when I read a Hannah's text message this afternoon is one I want to experience over and over and over again. Great change is in the water. 

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Introducing: Yes To

What a wild week it has been!

If you have been reading my blog long enough you will know I am a big fan of brands and products that are grounded in production that honours the Earth and aims to make a difference in the world. You can imagine how excited I was to get a little package from Yes To skincare this week (amidst the intensity of a postgraduate conference and lots of changing the world kind of meetings). I was so sad I couldn't make it to the launch lunch on Wednesday but was excited to learn more about this company that endeavors to say "yes to the environment and their customers". 

Yes To was founded in 2007 by Lance Kalish and Ido Leffler after their journey to a healthier life lead them to make changes in their diet and lifestyles. As every one who is trying to clean up their environmental impact and live a toxin free life finds, they couldn't believe how much natural skincare costs! So, armed with ambitions of creating an affordable skincare line that was made from organic fruits, vegetables and clean ingredients (no nasty paragons, petroleum, SLS or phthalates) the duo created Yes To. The organic skincare brand is now sold in 28,000 stores world wide across 29 countries. 

Yes To offers 70 different skincare products and centers around four main ingredients that form the four basic ranges: Carrots (to nourish), Blueberries (to refresh), Cucumbers (to sooth) and Tomatoes (for clear skin).  

I've been trying out the Yes To Carrots range over the last few days (cleanser, moisturizer and body butter) and I am a big fan! Super smooth and creamy... I can actually feel my skin saying THANK YOU! I'm one of those annoying people that generally has really clear skin but in winter time I need to seriously hydrate my skin. After the most intense academic week of my life this range has fed my tired and weary skin. AND the three products I have been using range from $19.99 to $29.99. The Yes To Carrots range gets my seal of approval! 

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Yes To skincare will be available exclusively at Countdown Supermarkets across New Zealand from October. 
You can also purchase the range at the Yes To online store and check them out on Facebook / Twitter.

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This one time in Viva..

Image: The New Zealand Herald 

Happy Wednesday! 

Did you see the Viva insert in The New Zealand Herald today? 

I'm featured in Zoe Walker's Fashion Plate column *:-)

Click the scan above to enlarge and let me know what you think? I get to chatter about fashion, identity, feminism, gender and my approach to style/beauty in a national newspaper... #dreamscomingtrue!  

Big thanks to Zoe Walker for the awesome words and Babiche Martens for the fun picture!

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The Week That Was

1. I can't believe it is the second week in July! This week I give a presentation on my postgraduate research to a panel of experts. Nerve central! I think I'm prepared... all bundles of good energy and glitter appreciated.

Image: Rising Sun, Melting Moon by Jimmy D

2. I went to Jimmy D's SS13 presentation this week entitled Rising Sun, Melting Moon. It was amazing! I was so overwhelmed with love and excitement <3 Check out the full collection here. The range hits stores in August :-)<

3. If you are a social media nerd like me then you will appreciate Cate Owen's chatter on her blog about brands who think they are fancy on social media (read: telling their fans to share/like something for the chance to win and in doing so spam their friends). A great PSA to any brand using social media. 

Image: This is what kindness looks like!

4. I received the most amazing package from Anny Ma yesterday with the kindest note anyone has ever written me. She is a delightful creature who is changing the world! Her words moved my soul. You should follow her on twitter. 

5. I'm changing my name to Aych! Well, my friends and family already call me Aych but I'm taking it into the fashion world too :-) I have updated my twitter handle and instagram username to AychMcArdle. Follow me yeah? Isaac mentioned it in a post this week. #Scandal

6. I am in need of some interior decorating inspiration. I've been doing the super minimalist grey/silver/white thing for a while and it is calming but getting a bit boring. What do you think of this sleeping arrangement:

Image: Homespiration

A good excuse to spend another few hours on Pinterest I guess! I love the idea of making my room more magical and Faerie like. I'll report back on this one!

7. On Wednesday night I got to shake a bucket for WTF and AFER at the New Zealand premier of "8" The Play. It made me happy to give my time to a cause I believe in. No better way to kill the winter blues than to give! Do something kind and generous for someone this week yeah?

XX

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THOSE flowers at Dior

Have you seen this snapshot of how all A MILLION flowers were assembled for the set of the Dior SS 13 show? Absolutely incredible! I freaked out when the official Dior Twitter account released these two images pre show:

I was blown away by the set and felt the flowers were symbolic of this new chapter for Dior. Baptism by petals? New life and spring beginnings. 

XX 

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So much joy x

This image is probably one of the best things that has happened to me this week.

It makes me so happy!

Such are the joys that are Pinterest :-D Do you follow me? 

XX

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Westpac's Young Fashion Designer Competition 2012

Are you currently completing a New Zealand fashion based tertiary course or have graduated from a New Zealand based tertiary course within the last four years? Fancy the chance to have your work shown on the catwalk at New Zealand Fashion Week, a $5000 business bank account with Westpac, 1 year mentorship and 1 year business banking advice from Westpac? Make sure you enter the Westpac Young Designer Competition by 1st August for your chance to win!

Aspiring designers have until 5pm on Wednesday 1 August to enter a portfolio of three looks, along with a brief biography, plus a paragraph on how they would put the practical prize package to work for their future.  Entries can be submitted via the Westpac Young Fashion Designer Competition official Facebook page. 

A panel of established fashion industry experts will select the ten most outstanding entries as semi-finalists. The top ten mini-collections will then be uploaded to the Westpac Young Fashion Designer Competition official Facebook page, where the public will be encouraged to vote online for their favourite young designer. 

Westpac is looking for a winner with passion, vision and a strong aesthetic sense – a designer who is capable of creating inspiring and original clothes that have impact on the runway, without forsaking wearability.  

The three young designers who amass the most public votes by Sunday 19 August will travel to Auckland to present their mini-collections in front of the judges during New Zealand Fashion Week. After a dramatic live runway walk-off at the Westpac RED COLLECTION show on Friday 7 September, the Westpac Young Fashion Designer Competition winner for 2012 will be announced.

Entries are open.... (I'm waiting for 10am to click "Publish")... NOW! 
XX

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The Week That Was

Image: My babelicious Rita on her wedding day// Sean Craig Photography

1. My dear friend Rita got married on Saturday and it was pretty special to see her bursting with so much giddy love.  In chatting with old acquaintances I was reminded of how quite spectacular my life is. I always find it quite hard to answer "What have you been up to?" without sounding condescending or weird. The tall poppy in me wants to scream from the rooftops all of the wicked things I have been able to do lately but the self deprecating Kiwi in me knows it can be seen as being boastful. We need to celebrate success! 

 
2. My colorist is on holiday till mid New Zealand Fashion Week. That means I'll need TWO colours while she is away... #stress. On a more positive note I am currently sporting a very dashing shade of turquoise hair at the moment :-) The grainy snap above is a wee peak of my new colour with my lovely Jess and Kat.

3. New life goal: Give a Ted Talk. Hey TedxAuckland! Do you want a dynamic gender diverse person who has an incredible stage presence to present at your 2012 event? Call me! 

Image: I miss the TTC! Snapped in '07 outside the Eaton Centre

4. Happy (belated) Canada Day! July 1st marks Canada's national holiday and I can't think of anywhere else that I would have wanted to be yesterday than at the Pride Toronto Parade. I miss that big dirty/amazing/scary/delicious/inspiring city. Someone get me on a plane there PLEASE? I would love a holiday!  

5. If you need a little bit of internetspiration check this video by Michael Marantz that my fave Canadian Casie Stewart posted on her amazing blog:



6. It is 1.21am and I have been watching the live Dior feed and it has just freaked out... Desperately waiting for pictures but check out this first shot of the MILLION FLOWERS that cover the 5 salons that the official Dior twitter account posted pre show. #IDIE.

7. Write down a dream. Put it somewhere where you see it everyday. It is amazing how when our eyes are open we see little ways of achieving that goal EVERYWHERE. Go on. Try it!

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