Melbourne MamaMag Oct/Nov 2021

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mamamAg Oct/Nov 2021

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SPRING BACK TO LIFE I always look forward to our Oct/Nov Fashion and Beauty issue, a time to start planning our summer wardrobes, discovering fab new beauty brands and chatting to clever mums who are paving the way in these industries. But this year, well... Mama’s not really feeling very beautiful! I haven’t been to the hairdresser in five months (seriously, that pic was April 29) and I stay blonde for a reason. The greys and regrowth are coming in thick and fast and need some serious attention! I’ve worn the same three pairs of jeans on rotation since it got cold enough to wear pants, (hey all have stretchy waistbands which accommodate my COVID-tum just right) mixed in between various black leggings (and black puffer jacket because Briiiggghton) for daily dog walking and exercise.

So as things slowly start to open up, and warm up, it’s time for mama to step it up also. Get out of this COVID funk. Being single and spending 240+ days alone in iso (as teen kids hardly leave their bedrooms anymore) has done nothing for my social life (or my drinking problem!).

So who’s with me? Time to spring back into life I say.

Here’s to kids going back to school, pubs welcoming back their friends, classes and activities resuming and the hair and beauty salons reopening. Come on 80% fully-vaxxed, let’s do it!

Sarah Cavalier Editor - MamaMagSupport - @thecavaliermama and fun for the everyday mum MamaMag is designed and published bi-monthly free for Melbourne mums, families and carers.

Publisher: Grizzle Design Pty Ltd. ABN: 26 042 138 550.

PO Box 8018, North Road LPO, Brighton East VIC 3187 Phone: 1300 771 446 Email: info@mamamag.com.au www.mamamag.com.au | www.grizzledesign.com.au Editor in Chief/Creative Director: Sarah Cavalier: sarah@mamamag.com.au For advertising enquiries contact: Olivia Wilson: olivia@mamamag.com.au Want to write for us or have an article idea? submissions@mamamag.com.au

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WIN

Contents This chick has hustle

Win 1 of 3

6

We chat to Emma Isaacs

Colour and texture

8

Time to life your mood

Skincare mistakes

10

The ones most of us make

Spring fashion to a tee

12

Hot Aussie looks for Summer

Fashion for over 40

16

Let me try before you buy

Mama says let’s get naked

20

Sarah samples the latest Naked Life drinks

She’s all lip

Picnic Hampers

22

Shanghai Suzy’s Jo French

3 course challenge

24

Cooking for a cause with Sarah Todd

Our family pledge

28

TikTok’s Emmaline Carroll Southwell

Socks that save

30

Upparel recycling Victoria’s textiles

A bare journey to birth

34

Bare mum’s Amelie Cazzulino

Spring clean your skin

36

Mama’s top picks

Help your hair

38

worth

$500 each

What not to do!

20 voices of 2020

40

Sharing the stories of COVID

On the shelf

42

Latest release books to shop

7 tips for holidays on a budget

46

Holiday without the hurt

Mama’s on schedule

48

Steph Pase schedules more than blogs

Nail your style mama

50

Stylist to the starts Bridget Bell

Win a Goliath games pack

51

Colour in to win!

Love and respect your body

52

Teaching kids The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishing staff. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of the publishers. Health related articles are designed to be informative and educational. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace one-on-one advice from your health practitioner.

Some featured books contain affiliate links. If you purchase using these links there is no extra cost to you but MamaMag earn a small commission that helps us continue to provide MamaMag as a FREE resource to you.

MamaMag Oct/Nov 2021

Spring is here and it’s time to picnic with Naked Life’s new award-winning non-alcoholic sparkling cocktails.

Each prize includes a picnic basket, picnic blanket, travel picnic table, a variety of 12 Naked Life non-alcoholic cans, branded glasses and a luxury grazing board for two!

Entries are open to Australian residents only. Competition starts October 1st 12.01am and closes November 30th 2021 at 11.59pm. Prize not transferable or redeemable for cash. Total prize value $1500. Visit www.mamamag.com.au/competitions for full terms and conditions.

For your chance to win enter at www.mamamag.com.au/nakedlife

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thIs chIck has hustle A born entrepreneur, (and mama to six kids!)

Emma Isaacs has spent her life building businesses and helping people see possibility when they hadn’t imagined it before. Over the past sixteen years, Emma has transformed Business Chicks from the ground up, growing it from 250 members to what it is today: a global enterprise that operates in two continents and eleven cities and usually produces more than 100 events annually (when COVID doesn’t get in the way), with past speakers including Dr Brené Brown, Seth Godin, Sir Richard Branson, Gloria Steinem, Nicole Kidman, Sir Bob Geldof, Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Gillard, amongst others.

Born and raised in Sydney, Emma now lives in Los Angeles with her six young children, where she heads up the now international Business Chicks. We chat to Emma about business, parenting and writing her new book, The New Hustle, in the middle of a global pandemic.

So, we’re all about mums at MamaMag, obviously! Six kids! Tell us a bit about that crazy journey!

Half a dozen kiddos, and yes, I drive a minivan.

It’s a lot but it’s mostly so much fun. I never set out to have that many kids, it just kind of happened, but I’ve always been an intense person and like to live with a level of velocity and exhilaration, so I guess this is just a part of it. So there’s Milla (12), Honey (10), Indie (8), Ryder (6), Piper (4) and my little guy Louis is 16 months. It can be chaotic at times, but those tear-your-hair-out moments never last for too long. I have a friend who often says to me ‘I know people with two or three kids and your house is way calmer than theirs’, so that’s something I cling onto!

How did you manage juggling home schooling with them all?

It was tough. I mean, how do you ever get a 5-year-old to pay attention in a Zoom call??

In the end, there was a full 17 months when we had kids at home, but we got there in the end – mostly fuelled by snacks and constant 6

reminders that it was just a moment in time. My heart goes out to all the parents in Sydney and Melbourne who are still in it – the day the kids get into the car and back into the classroom is a good one and hopefully not too far away.

You say you have the best job in the world. Tell us more about Business Chicks and why every boss-mama should be a member.

I do have the best job in the world! I never finished university, so I often say that Business Chicks has been like my MBA – through the work we do at Business Chicks, I’ve been able to meet and learn from some of the world’s most extraordinary leaders like Elizabeth Gilbert and Richard Branson and Brené Brown and the list goes on. But what’s extraordinary about Business Chicks is not just those well-known people you’re exposed to through our events and our content – it’s the extraordinary women you meet through the community; the ones who support and show up and inspire each other. That’s the real magic of Business Chicks and it’s serving and helping these women that gives me a reason to get up every morning.

How did you manage to grow Business Chicks into such an incredible community whilst juggling all those pregnancies?

I was lucky that I found pregnancy relatively smooth sailing each time and was able to work up until all my deliveries. I was an entrepreneur before I was a mum so my work ethic and drive were already developed before I started thinking about having a family. I’ve never subscribed to life ending because you have a baby (and when you’re a business owner, it can’t anyway!). If anything, for me a new baby has always brought with it a surge of ambition and a wanting to show them what’s possible.

I’ve also got an amazing team around me so I’m able to come and go and focus on what I’m good at doing. They keep everything ticking along and I trust them with my whole being.

COVID has certainly changed the way we do business. Tell as a little bit about The New Hustle and how it came about.

I write in the book that The New Hustle was a happy accident, which in many ways it was. I initially sat down to write a handbook for the Business Chicks team – something our current and future members of the team could use to understand what makes our team uniquely us. At the same time I was writing, we were all experiencing this crazy shift in the way we were all working – brought on by COVID – and while many people were lamenting the shift, I could see the opportunity. This was a chance to completely flip the way we live and work; to bring some more fulfilment into our worlds and get smarter about the way we work, instead of just doing things because that’s how they have always been done. The more I wrote, the more I realised that the lessons in the book were useful to more people than just my team.

This issue of MamaMag is all about Fashion and beauty. Who are you go to Aussie designers?

It would be remiss of me not to shout out some of the amazing Business Chicks’ member brands - I wear a lot of Decjuba, which is owned by my very clever friend Tania Austin.

I love Lizzy and Isabella’s Spell & The Gypsy Collective, which is based out of Byron. And Carly Brown makes the amazing UNE Piece swimwear.

And what’s your favourite lippy?

I honestly can’t remember the last time I actually wore lipstick!

What do you miss most about Australia?

The Business Chicks team and our HQ, which is in Sydney. Earlier in the year, I decided to use the forced lockdown as an opportunity, so I have spent the last few months completely reimagining the space. I don’t believe we need typical offices anymore (our team now choose where they work from) so the Business Chicks space is being transformed into a lounge/club where there will be lots of cozy spaces to work from and hang out in. We’ll have lots of events there and host members for networking and community. Oh and there’s an amazing bar there too where I’ll make my signature lychee martinis or passionfruit margaritas for our members. I’m hoping to spend a bit more time with the team and our members when we’re allowed to travel again!

And finally, what’s your favourite part of being a mother?

When I catch my kids either experiencing awe or happiness. Nothing better than that and makes all the tear-your-hair-out moments worth it.

Find out more about Business Chicks at www.businesschicks.com.au and find Emma’s new book at Booktopia.

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colour and texture to lIft your mood Spring is here, and whilst we’re all frantically throwing the windows open, rummaging around for those gorgeous floaty dresses and swapping up our black jeans and leather jackets for a brighter look, it’s a good time to understand the role colour and texture plays in our lives and the extraordinary impact both can have on our mood!

It goes without saying, our most favourite memories are always associated with one or more of our senses. The scent that reminds you of a glorious Italian holiday you took as a child or the colour over there that’s unmistakably the same as your grandmother’s favourite dress. Since time began colour has been used to beautify our surroundings and, alongside texture, holds the power to channel a wide variety of messages and emotions whatever your age. It’s no surprise then that the colours you choose to wear and even the texture of the material can have a powerful impact on your mood and even the mood of those around you!

Expressing ourselves using colours and textures is what we do, whether we realise it or not.

Every single day we show our personalities in the way we decorate our homes, the makeup we wear, even the colour of the car we drive, it’s what makes us individuals. One of my favourite Australian fashion brands that really understands the power of using colour and texture to lift your mood is Clutch 4 Humankind.

By bringing us incredibly vivid, art inspired clutch purses with personality, drawing inspiration from the streets, this is fashion 8

that creates conversations whilst allowing our personalities and attitudes to shine. Printed in Melbourne on ethically sourced linen cotton and sewn in Sydney, bold prints such as the Cuban, which is all sass and style and the glorious Hummingbird promise to amp up your street style and your mood in an instant.

“We love the textures, colours and infinite possibilities that arise from a piece of cloth.

The power of colour to ignite happiness, or a single piece of clothing to lift your mood, embolden confidence and let your attitude shine. When you look good, you feel good!”

- Alex, Founder of Clutch 4 Humankind.

These aren’t simply an accessory to add to your wardrobe on a whim; they’re an injection of timeless style and endless positivity to lift your mood and your outfit. Their expressive colours, the craftsmanship, the ethically sourced material and the support of Australian jobs are all a testament to how shopping more carefully is key to feeling good about yourself and what you’re wearing.

With so many of us wanting more ethically and locally produced fashion these days, it’s relatively easy to ‘eco consciously’ shop without too much effort. However, it pays to take your time, as it’s only something very special that will give you the burst of #ecowarrior joy and the self confidence you really deserve.

Clutch 4 Humankind. People, Conversations, Connections, and the power of being YOU.

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SKINCARE MISTAKES When it comes to skincare, we all know that the influx of information can be overwhelming, making it hard to know what to believe (and even harder to know what to do)!

Unfortunately, many of us are making common skincare mistakes every single day and likely not knowing it! Here are the biggest skincare mistakes most of us do every day and what you can do instead.

Squeezing pimples Yes, we know this is a really obvious mistake that we’ve been told about countless times, but chances are you might still do it on occasion.

Whilst it can be very tempting, try to avoid it at all costs! Picking skin or squeezing pimples can push bacteria and pus into the skin which can result in more swelling, redness and even more pimples. It can also mean you’re left with nasty scabs which can cause permanent skin pits or scars. If you have a pimple that you want to treat, the best thing to do is to leave it. Don’t touch it and don’t squeeze it. If you absolutely must squeeze it, please be gentle.

Apply a medium amount of pressure on either side of the pimple and slowly push down with the lightest pressure possible. Do not wiggle your fingers back and forth to try and squeeze it out. Large amounts of pressure or pushing at the skin will create micro tears which can cause scarring. It can spread the bacteria in the pimple further which can create a bigger problem for your skin. Ideally, you’ll avoid touching your face at all, unless it’s to apply a gentle serum after it has been left alone.

Layering too many products A common trend in skincare lately is layering products a la K Beauty style, however if you’re not completely up to speed with how each ingredient can affect your skin, then it’s probably not advisable.

Many people don’t realise that some ingredients when layered together can actually cancel each other out (meaning they don’t actually 10

do anything) or worse – cause harmful skin reactions. But before you throw away the entire contents of your bathroom cabinet, consider understanding how ingredients interact with each other and potential risks that can be involved. For example, Vitamin C serum and Retinol work optimally in different pH environments, so shouldn’t be layered on top of each other. Retinol also shouldn’t be layered with AHAs or BHAs because retinoids the combination can cause excessive skin sensitivity, redness and irritation.

Also consider the fact that reducing reliance on synthetics which your skin may not really need can help to restore natural hydrating processes, balance PH levels and strengthen the natural protective barrier. Beauty routines that overload the skin with synthetics are, according to Biologi’s research, unnecessary and can damage the protective barrier that protects the body. Traditional skincare products can be packed with toxic ingredients including chemical activators, irritating fragrance, occlusive emulsifiers and even water to dilute natural actives.

MOST OF US MAKE Not cleansing properly The skin needs to be cleansed both morning and night (but not over cleansed – more on that in the next point)! The problem however is that many people don’t actually clean their skin properly. Unfortunately some cleansers just don’t get all the dirt and residue off thoroughly.

Whilst your skin might ‘look’ clean, it’s likely there’s some product build up or excess residue sitting on the surface. To counteract this, implement a great cleansing routine at night to ensure make up is removed along with any dirt and residue. Please try to stop any habits of using single-use make up wipes! While makeup wipes can seem like a convenient option to remove make up, not only can they be full of harsh chemicals that disrupt the pH balance of your skin, but they are also terrible for the environment. Instead of a single-use make up wipe, opt for a microfibre cloth. Microfibre cloths are small, reusable pads that look and feel like a very small towel. All you need to do is apply water to the cloth and gently wipe across the face to remove makeup. The water slightly loosens makeup and surface dirt, and the hundreds of tiny fibres grab the particles and hold them away from the skin.

Scrubbing the skin or over-cleansing Conversely to the above, some people can make the mistake of cleansing too much or scrubbing the skin. Many people thinking scrubbing skin will get rid of excess dirt and residue (which is true) but it also depletes the skin of its natural oils. The skin is home to a complex ‘skin microbiome’ or ‘acid mantle’ which refers to the microorganisms which reside on the skin, comprised of trillions of bacteria that are part of the immune system. The skin’s microbiome is our first line of defence against disease and infection. Its job is to protect the skin from bacteria, environmental pollutants and moisture loss by

neutralising contaminations and holding cells tightly. When we cleanse or scrub too much, we can disrupt how effective our acid mantle is, thus throwing it out of whack and causing skin issues like excessive oil production. Rough scrubbing can also irritate the skin and cause inflammation which can result in a myriad of skin issues. Most people should really only need to exfoliate once a week with a gentle enzymatic exfoliant which requires no scrubbing at all and use a gentle cleanser daily.

Using nice smelling products Most people will tend to opt for products that smell nice, however what many people don’t realise is fragrances can be the number one cause of skin sensitivities! Unfortunately, the term ‘fragrance’ can sometimes just be a code word for chemicals. The unfortunate thing is that brands do not need to fully disclose all ingredients on a product label and fragranced products can often disguise toxic chemicals under the guise of ‘fragrance’.

In fact, the European Union, USA and UK are now considering banning fragrance from beauty products, however not in Australia. The rise in health problems and skin conditions associated with fragrances is alarming - one in three Australians recently reported adverse health effects from fragranced products. This includes breathing problems, migraines, asthma attacks and a host of skin irritations. So, if you are suffering from skin issues, consider how fragrances in your products could be contributing to this. Try opting for fragrancefree products but be careful of another marketing trick - ‘Unscented’ products may still contain fragrance. All that word means is that the scent is a neutral one designed to cover up the smell of the ingredients. Fragrance-free products can still have a scent, but it isn’t one that’s been added synthetically.

By Lucy Macdougald, Dermal Specialist at Biology. www.biologi.com.au

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SPRING FASHION TO A TEE

By Liv Wilson

Wardrobe basics should never be overlooked and it goes without saying, nothing in your wardrobe will serve you better than your t-shirt collection. A good Tee is the ultimate wardrobe staple and landing the perfect one will give you an essential piece that has the power to make you feel stylish yet comfortable, gorgeous and glam and, on a good day, super sexy!

We’re here to help you on your journey to T-shirt glory with our top 10 Australian musthave T’s for your new season wardrobe.

Feather and Noise Feather and Noise never fail to nail it when it comes to practical, easy, timeless pieces and this Elisha Top in lilac is all those things and more! The gorgeous relaxed fit, round neckline and drop sleeves make this the perfect dress up or dress down tee that’s guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Elisha Top Lilac $45.

In The Soulshine In The Soulshine is an Australian brand that loves fashion and is committed to bringing you the goods without exploiting people or destroying the planet #sogood. Helping animals is at the core of what they do and to further their impact they donate part of their proceeds to animal sanctuaries, organisations and activists. This gorgeous stonewashed ‘Save the Planet’ T-shirt is made from a high quality organic cotton making it super soft and comfy so you’ll never want to take it off. You can’t go wrong when adding a vintage, worn look tee to your wardrobe. Vegan Mama’s this is a must have for you! Save The Planet T-Shirt $39.

Assembly Lane We love a little giving when we shop and by purchasing this relaxed fit, 100% cotton tee you’ll be donating to Curing Homesickness; a joint fundraising initiative that brings children’s hospitals and paediatric services from across Australia together with a mission to bring kids home from hospital sooner. This is a great quality, exclusive, limited-edition range of t-shirts, with 100% of sales being donated to the initiative, so hurry! Homesick Charity Tee $50.

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Bon Bon are proud believers in the power of a good tee and boy do they get it right, every damn time! The simple Hibon Boyfriend Tee is a new style to bon, with a loose fit, a slight drop shoulder, and a wide rib at the neck.

Designed to be tucked in with the classic rolled up sleeve, or kept loose and relaxed with sleeves unrolled and a half tuck into your fave shorts, this is a tee that will see you through all the seasons. And, if you needed another reason to add to cart, Hibon means rare and extraordinary, it’s like the Japanese version of je ne sais quoi, with the addition of that wonderful quality that cannot be described or named easily. Hibon Boyfriend Tee $79.

Citizen Wolf Citizen Wolf’s best-selling boat neck has had a makeover with this relaxed silhouette and drop shoulder #inlove. Ethically made in Sydney, The Relaxed Half Boat brings boyfriend fit comfort whilst accentuating your collarbone and hips, plus the shortened sleeve hits exactly at your elbow thanks to Magic Fit®. This incredible ‘tape measure free’ fitting creates a 94% accurate model of your body using only your height, weight, age and bra size. Committed to ethical and sustainable production, Citizen Wolf uses a mixture of cotton, organic cotton, and cotton hemp blends that are grown in Australia and milled in Melbourne.

The Relaxed Half Boat T $89.

The Common good The Common Good Company uses recycled materials and ethical practices to manufacture clothing apparel ‘in the benefit or interests of all’. These cool cats have developed their own unique textile made entirely with recycled materials #wow. Loose fit and carefree is what the ‘Grace Jones’ is all about, the ultimate oversized tee designed to half-tuck and roll in.

For just $55 you can add this to your perfect T collection. Grace Jones T-Shirt OG Logo $55.

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Goondiwindi Cotton

Leonard St

This go-to, look good, feel good V Neck Linen Tee by family owned Goondiwindi Cotton is made from 100% linen making it not only super soft but luxurious too. Lightweight and breathable this tee’s relaxed fit ensures it sits perfectly on the shoulders suiting all body shapes. This linen tee comes in a variety of colours however we are crushing on Khaki which is promising to be this seasons winning colour!

100% Linen V Neck Tee Shirt Khaki $89.

Say hello to this pure cotton, cap sleeve T-shirt with a scoop neckline in a very Leonard Street -esque Blue Protea Tee, with highlights in pink, sand, rust and marigold. This is a really easy to wear style for all occasions. The pairing of gorgeous illustrations or geometric patterns with chic colour palettes is what makes Leonard St one of Melbourne’s most loved ethical clothing brands and why we know you’ll love, and turn heads in, this tee.

Blue Protea Tee $98.

Afends An Australian-based fashion brand leading the way in organic hemp fashion, utilising renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact.

This unisex short sleeve t-shirt is made from premium eco-friendly, certified organic cotton jersey. This retro, relaxed fit features shortsleeves and a wide ribbed crew neck perfect for everyday. Finished with the Afends premium organic branding printed on the front and sustainability call out on the back, this tee embodies sustainable streetwear and is a must have for the eco conscious shopper!

Premium Organic Unisex Retro Fit Tee $60.

Here’s Mama’s guide to choosing the best Tee for your body: Round – Bigger bust and tummy?

Girl you gotta get a classic cut! This is going to give you the most relaxed and importantly flattering look.

Triangle – All the pear shaped mama’s out there with wider hips and a shapely bottom (#yasss), with a defined waist, slim arms and shoulders, your best fit will be a slim cut t-shirt to emphasise your gorgeous waist.

Rectangle – If your body shape is fairly straight with weight evenly distributed, slim or classic cuts are your glorious go to.

Hourglass – Even hip and bust measurements with a narrower waist your thing? You definitely need a slim or classic cut to accentuate all the good bits you got!

Inverted Triangle – Hey Apple shaped mamas! Your broader shoulders and full bust with narrower hips will shine in a straighter cut Tee that’ll give you a more even, sleek look #winning.

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KU Maidstone Children’s Centre Opening January 2022 KU Maidstone provides high quality, not for profit early education for children aged 0 to 5 years including funded kindergarten and allied health services.

Every KU centre is a safe, calm community of children, parents and educators, where small acts of kindness happen every day.

Side by side, we explore the world through many cultures and perspectives. KU children learn it’s OK to be different, and we can all be different, together.

“Undoubtedly one of the best decisions that we have made as parents. I am reassured every day when we walk through the doors into a happy, peaceful and inspiring space, that my kids are getting a great start to life.” – KU parent from Melbourne To learn more about KU Maidstone email ku.maidstone@ku.com.au or contact: KU Maidstone Children’s Centre Open 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday 7-9 Hampstead Road, Maidstone www.ku.com.au

FASHION FOR OVER 4O What do I think about fashion marketing to women over 40?

It needs to be completely overhauled because it’s outdated and bordering on offensive!

People often ask me how I became one of the most successful fashion influencers in Australia practically overnight. I believe @letmetrybeforeyoubuy has exploded in the last 12 months because I don’t use filters or alter my images, I don’t wear Spanx, I mainly post unedited videos and I focus on the needs of the consumer.

Fashion marketing teams focus on creating a perfect picture. While it might look good on their CV, it won’t sell clothes to women over 40. What they should really be focusing on is: What do women need to know about the garments in their collection? How can they make women feel welcome in their brand?

To make women feel welcome and boost their sales, fashion brands need to throw away the current marketing practices that have been in place for more than 50 years and adopt these key principles.

Embrace age, ethnic and size diversity In 2021, fashion brands need to include age, ethnic and size diversity in their campaign shoots and social media advertising. If they want to sell clothes, they need to have a 50-year-old goddess and a 20-year-old goddess. They need a range of body shapes, sizes and skin colours. They need to help women who have money to spend figure out whether their clothes will suit them or not.

There’s a reason why my Instagram feed has blown up over the past year. Women over 40 who are sick to death of all the overly filtered fashion photos on Instagram have been flocking to my page. They want someone real who can show them what clothes will actually look like on them. They relate to the unfiltered and unedited videos of me in my underwear because I’m like them.

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Analyse the data Most retailers ask their customers for their date of birth when they complete a purchase, so they should have a look at the age range of their customers. I bet the average age isn’t 22, so why is there a 22-year-old model in the campaign? Marketing teams think older models won’t sell clothes, but they’ll probably be surprised if they try.

Talk to customers Brands need to spend more time in store speaking with actual customers to understand who they are. Instead of sitting in an office making mood boards, they need to get their hands dirty. Once they truly understand their customers, they’ll be able to create campaigns that sell clothes. If the image they’re portraying in their campaign doesn’t match their customer, they’ve missed the mark.

The dawn of a new era As long as retailers continue to alienate women by making them feel unwelcome in their brands, they’re losing money. Changing their marketing approach isn’t just a matter of principle, it’s a question of survival.

So what else can fashion brands do to help us?

Get the sizing right One of Australian women’s most pressing fashion needs is inclusive sizing. Most women sit between a size 12 and a size 20 yet they struggle to find clothes they love that fit them.

Women also need clothing that suits their body shape and stage of life. They don’t want to have to search for a new brand every time they put on a few kilos or when their body has changed shape after having a baby.

It’s not only larger women who are insecure about their bodies and don’t know how to dress – it’s all women. There are very few women who have the confidence to try new styles and different ways of dressing. I’d say only about

five per cent of women are confident enough to try something new and be proud of their bodies or at least show kindness to themselves.

Build customer loyalty If a business wants to build meaningful relationships with women and turn them into loyal customers, they need to design clothes for women at every stage of the life cycle.

It’s completely normal for women’s weight to fluctuate throughout their lives. Most Australian women will also have at least one baby and their size and fashion needs will change during that time. Many mothers will require clothes that accommodate breastfeeding. They need to factor in women’s changing needs if they want them to keep coming back to their brand.

In my mind, the perfect clothing collection has options for short apples and tall apples. The apple body shape – where most of the weight is carried in the tummy – is the hardest to dress but the most common. The perfect collection also has some options for breastfeeding mamas as well as for women who want to show shape and those who don’t want to show shape. If it ticks all those boxes, they’ll have something for 80 percent of Australian women. That’s a wellrounded collection!

Stay relevant People think that one of the main issues in fashion right now is fast fashion versus ethical and sustainable fashion, but that misses the point. Fast fashion isn’t winning because it’s better or because the Australian public wants to buy it. Most Australian women can only buy fast fashion brands because they’re the only ones who provide a size range that fits them.

Women’s clothing brands that offer ethical and sustainable clothing in a range of shapes and sizes will tick all the boxes and stay relevant.

The bottom line is that inclusive sizing and body diversity can no longer be ignored in the fashion industry.

By Natalie Angel. Natalie created Let Me Try Before You Buy to give average-sized women the chance to see real reviews on flattering, functional and beautifully fashionable clothes for real bodies that are sized 14, 16 or above.

Launching in the middle of a global pandemic, Natalie closes the gap for women who want to shop online but are too scared the clothes will arrive in skimpily small sizes that will only have them queuing up at the post office to return everything. @letmetrybeforeyoubuy

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Unleash your imagination!

Term and holiday courses for all ages include: → Acting → Drama → Musical Theatre → Public Speaking ... and more!

At NIDA Melbourne, Southbank and surrounding venues.

Visit nida.edu.au/melbourne

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Lets get Naked

Having been single for the entire pandemic, ‘let’s get naked’ is not something I’ve heard in a while, nor would I want it to be! COVID has been far from kind to my waistline and living seven doors from a well known bottle shop (hi uncle Dan!) certainly hasn’t helped me with that either. But that’s not the sort of ‘naked’ I’m talking about here, and this naked might just be the answer to my Covid-kilos after all.

I’m talking about getting naked from sugar and alcohol...

I first met the founder of sugar-free business Naked Life, Melbourne’s David Andrew, back in 2018. Ironically it was the morning after Halloween, so the full effect of sugar and kids was fresh in my mind after a big night of ‘trick or treating’. David was bursting with enthusiasm as he told me about his two sugarfree businesses; Naked Life Sparkling and Sugar Free-zies. David was on a crusade to remove sugar from Aussies’ diets through his frozen kids’ treats and amazing sugar free soft drinks.

But now he’s taken this one step further by creating a range of naked cocktails and ready-to-drinks that are sugar and alcohol free.

So first let’s get back to tackling those Covid-kilos. Hands down my number one killer has been alcohol. If you didn’t up your alcohol intake during the pandemic, were you even in iso?

Boredom of being stuck at home for 240+ days lead to a sneaky wine or two on the couch on more nights than I wish to count, which then lead to some yummy snacks to go with them or some crappy food the day after when two became four. Well you know the rest! So I’ve rejoined 28 By Sam Wood to get my body moving again and made a pact with myself to eliminate all the sugar and processed foods from my diet and cut out the booze (well, most of it).

With the country finally starting to open up, the sun will soon be shining (and I can hide my extra kilos under a flowy Summer dress) and we can actually catch up with ‘real friends’! Picnics are the order of the day and thanks to David and his team I’ve got a new solution for a tasty tipple that is both sugar free and alcohol free.

His team sent me a box of the new Naked Life non-alcoholic cocktails to try and to be honest, they are a bit fabulous! They’ve recreated all our favourites, crafted with distilled botanicals which gives each of the drinks their authentic taste, all packaged in a gorgeous looking five-calorie can! There’s a flavour for everyone, with some great summer spritzes (Mama loved the Wimbledom, a take on a traditional Pimms, and the Negroni and Italian Spritz). There’s the classic Margarita and G&T, a Yuzu Sake, plus your darker spirits mixed with cola or dry and lime if you’re more of a bourbon gal.

So Mama says check these out for some guilt free Summer drinking, grab a 4-pack from your local supermarket and live your best naked life!

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Mama says...

SHE’S ALL LIP Shanghai Suzy founder Jo French has not only built one of Australia’s leading independent beauty brands stocked in hundreds of salons, boutiques, and stores around the country, she’s also a busy mum who’s just had her very own lockdown baby! We caught up with Jo to see how she juggles motherhood and one of Australia’s favourite beauty brands!

Wow! Jo you must be one of the busiest gals in Melbourne right now! Running your biz and chasing after three little ones all whilst in lockdown? How do you do it all?

You know it’s so crazy at the moment with three kids under five at home and balancing their needs and running my little business. I try to work in the evenings and just be kind to myself, we can’t do everything! The house is often a mess and the to-do list is often untouched at the end of the day and that has to be OK at the moment. I’m also grateful that I’m not needing to manage home schooling on top of that - I’m not quite sure how it’s logistically possible for those working mama’s who are also home schooling and I take my hat off to them!

When you created Shanghai Suzy eight years ago, did you have any idea it would grow to be such a favourite?

I was hopeful haha! But honestly there was such a gap in the market for affordable, good quality lippies. I still look around at any of our competitors and I feel that comparatively we offer such a beautiful product, especially considering the price point ($19.95) and that we’re made in Melbourne and we’re vegan and cruelty-free too! I’m so proud of our lippies and I’m obviously biased but I’m so confident that we have the best formulas on the market.

You pride yourself on the fact that Shanghai Suzy is vegan and cruelty free! What do you think the future of vegan makeup looks like and why should we all be extra careful to check labels?

I personally swing between vegan and vegetarian in terms of my diet and lifestyle so it’s a lot to do with my personal values 22

we can make such a huge positive impact on our planet by cutting out animal products.

I think the future of makeup (and the world for that matter) is one where no animals are harmed. Also for our health - there is so much research coming out about our microbiome and gut health and eating a whole food plant based diet and I’m so here for it! I think the same extends to our beauty products and many of the other products in our home - why harm animals and the planet if we don’t even need to?

Spring is here! What does that mean for your skincare routine and your makeup bag?

I just re-jigged my skincare routine last night!

I like to sit in front of our floor length mirror and do my skincare and makeup, total teenager vibes even though I’m 35, haha! I have my skincare AM/PM boxes and my makeup box and I take out the appropriate box and sit there and apply my products. I love it! I have just switched my SPF over from SPF 25 to SPF 50 now that it’s getting sunnier and I’ve added in an extra serum. I also fake tanned last night so I look like I’ve been on a holiday (lol, we can dream right?!). In terms of makeup, day to day I wear concealer only (no foundation), a powder bronzer, eyebrow gel, no eye makeup, and lipstick of course. I’ve got my makeup routine down to about 3 and a half minutes!

Spring/Summer lip trends - What do we have to look forward to?

COLOUR! Finally!!! After what seems like an eternity of hibernation with continued lockdowns and hiding behind masks it’s time for us to wear some colour. Even though masks will be around for a while at least we can take them off at restaurants and I CANNOT WAIT to

wear a bright red lip (our matte colour Poppy is the one I have in mind!) out for dinner and drinks with friends. CANNOT WAIT. Is matching lip colour with your nail polish a big “yes” or a fashion faux pas?

I love that but I’m never organised enough to do it! It would be so fun for an event though, like a flowy silky white dress in Summer with matching coral nails and lips! It’s a big yes from me.

Are you a matte or a satin girl?

Matte in Summer and Satin in Winter for sure!

In Winter our lips need extra moisture and our Satin formula has avocado oil, shea butter and jojoba seed oil which nourishes the lips and creates a super comfortable balm-like finish. Our Satin formula feels almost edible. It’s so soft and delicious to apply. I find myself just reapplying it all day even though I really don’t need to haha.

In Summer I need something with more staying power that doesn’t sweat away or transfer easily in the heat so I love our mattes as they’ll stay put and in place!

What do you think is the most underrated lip colour and why?

I absolutely love browns. Every time we release one we have die hard brown lipstick fans that will buy 10 of them for themselves but generally they don’t sell well across the board. It’s the same with orange! Orange lipsticks never sell well but you’ll always find a bright orange in my makeup bag.

As we get older are there any ‘rules’ on what lip colours we should avoid?

I think rules are made to be broken and we see such a difference in preference with our customers. It really is each to their own. My mum who is in her late 60’s for instance will only wear soft hued satins... but then most of our beautiful older customers who come into our little Brighton studio for colour matching will only wear the brightest of bright and only mattes.

Which I totally love!

Finally, the hardest hitting question of all....

If you could see Shanghai Suzy lipstick on anyone’s lips who would it be?

I’d love to see some of our nude satins on instagram star @mathildegoehler I’m obsessed with her style!

Check out the range at www.shanghaisuzy.com

Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

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3 course challenge This October, learn how to cook an Indian feast, raise money for breast cancer research and save lives, one tasty course at a time.

Breast Cancer Trials is on a mission for people affected by breast cancer to live better, to live longer and to never die from breast cancer, and you can help by challenging yourself to cook a 3 course Indian feast.

When you join the 3 Course Challenge, you’ll learn how to cook a modern Indian feast for your family and friends. And the best part is, you don’t have to do it alone. You’ll be guided by internationally renowned chef and TV Personality Sarah Todd who will teach you to cook her delicious menu in an interactive livestreamed cooking class on Saturday 16 October 2021.

Sarah has risen to the top of the Indian global food scene since her debut on MasterChef Australia back in 2014. Sarah’s classical skills honed from Le Cordon Bleu, combined with her extensive travels across India have influenced her unique cooking style.

Raising awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Trials has a special place in Sarah’s heart.

Her mum Lorraine is one of thousands of Australians who have been affected by breast

1 in 7 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

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cancer, after she was diagnosed with the disease on her 50th birthday.

“It was just a huge shock to us in the family and she’s always been a very optimistic person. I see my mum as a superwoman. It was so hard to see her go from caregiver to the one needing to receive care for the first time.”

Stunned by how painful Lorraine’s nine month treatment was, Sarah vowed to use her platform for good so now, when you raise $150 or more for Breast Cancer Trials, Sarah will teach you over livestream how to make her delicious 3 course menu.

Join in at www.3coursechallenge.com.au

Sarah Todd’s Pork Vindaloo PREP TIME: 20mins COOK TIME: 1 hour 15 mins SERVES: 4

80ml white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons salt

Ingredients:

1⁄2 tspn freshly ground black pepper

500g piece pork loin, trimmed, cut into 2.5cm cubes

1 tspn brown sugar

1 tbspn each of garlic paste and ginger paste

2 medium onions, thinly sliced

1 tbspn ground coriander 1 tspn ground turmeric 1⁄2 red onion, thinly sliced Toasted cashews, crispy curry leaves, coriander leaves, roti, steamed rice and lime wedges VINDALOO PASTE 1 tspn ground cumin 1⁄2 tspn each of ground cardamom and cinnamon 1.5 tspn brown mustard seeds 1 tspn fenugreek seeds 3 dried red chillies, soaked, blended to a paste

2 tbspn vegetable oil Method: To make vindaloo paste: Combine spices, seeds, chilli paste, vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar in a small bowl.

Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat.

Add onion; cook, stirring, until golden brown and crispy (6-8 minutes). Remove onions with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towel; reserve oil in pan.

Blend or process onions with 2-3 tablespoons of water, until smooth. Add to spice mixture in bowl; stir to combine.

Heat reserved oil in pan over medium-high heat. Cook pork, in batches, until browned on all sides (approximately two minutes); remove from pan.

Reduce heat to medium.

Add garlic and ginger pastes to pan; cook, stirring, until fragrant (1 minute). Add ground coriander and turmeric; cook, stirring, until fragrant (1 minute). Return pork and any juices, to pan, along with the vindaloo paste and 1 cup (250ml) water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until mixture has thickened and pork is tender (approximately 1 hour).

To serve, top vindaloo with red onion, cashews, crispy curry leaves and coriander.

Serve with steamed rice, lime wedges and malabar roti.

This traditional dish from Goa, is an adaptation of carne de vinhad’alhos, a dish introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th Century. Translated, it means “meat with wine and garlic”.

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Sarah Todd’s latest cookbook ‘My Indian Kitchen’ is full of bold flavours of India with a modern spin.

RRP $24.95 from Are Media Books.

Lentil and vegetable stew I make this fuss-free dish every week as it makes my weeknight cooking a breeze.

This vegetable stew is jampacked with flavours, spices and protein. To add lamb or chicken, you’ll find an optional pro tip below.

PREP TIME: 15mins COOK TIME: 30mins SERVES: 4 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon each garlic paste and ginger paste 1 teaspoon each ground turmeric, ground cumin and red chilli powder

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1 cup vege or chicken stock 1 cup red lentils, rinsed 1 medium zucchini, diced 400g can diced tomatoes 1⁄2 teaspoon garam masala 2 tablespoons lime juice 1⁄4 cup coriander leaves To serve: Roti and Raita Method: Heat oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring, until softened (3 minutes).

Add garlic and ginger pastes; cook, stirring for a minute. Add ground spices; cook, stirring, until fragrant (1 minute).

Increase heat to high. Add stock, lentils, zucchini, canned

tomatoes and garam masala to pan; bring to the boil.

Reduce heat to low; simmer until lentils are almost tender (about 10 minutes). If mixture is too thick add a little water, until you achieve the desired consistency. Remove pan from the heat; stir in lime juice.

Season to taste.

To serve, spoon stew into bowls; top with coriander.

Serve with roti and raita.

Optional: At step 1, before adding the onion, cook 400g diced lamb or 400g diced chicken thigh fillets until brown all over; remove from pan. Continue with recipe, returning lamb or chicken to pan with the stock at step 2.

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OUR FAMILY PLEDGE Most TikTokers use the platform to gain followers and hopefully make posts go viral. But for Melbourne mum of three Emmaline Carroll Southwell, TikTok was more likely was just a way to fill in endless days of lockdown with her kids! But a poem about their family values, recited on camera by Emmaline and her three kids, has attracted 4.5 million views worldwide and has now been made into a picture book, the first book deal in Australia to arise from a single video on the social media platform!

Emmaline’s hugely popular TikToks have been entertaining families during lockdown, with content such as her four-year-old son Levi’s surprisingly logical explanation of why he believes Jesus was bisexual and non-binary (12M views), and the popular ‘ask Levi’ videos in which the delightfully perceptive Levi answers questions from his fans on everything from the Black Lives Matter movement to how you know you’ve found the one.

Tells us a bit about your little family!

I’ve been married to Kenny since 2007 and together we have 3 children; Harper (11) who’s gentle, intelligent and sweet, Levi (5) who is wild and challenging, but also so compassionate and insightful, and finally our darling little miss Violet, our sassy 3-year-old who is slowing taking over the house.

How did you get into making TikTok videos?

I downloaded TikTok during the March lockdown of 2020. I thought it seemed like a bit of fun and a great way to pass the time as well as do some lip-sync videos and post my COVID art that I had been doing (large floor murals using bits and pieces from around the home that also feature my children).

That organically evolved into what we refer to as #asklevi (videos with my then 4-yearold son). People would send in all different questions for Levi to answer such as “How do I know if I’m in love?”, “How do I get my kids to eat more veggies?”, “What are your thoughts on LGBTQ+?”, and (thankfully) “What is your favourite quote?”, to which Levi answered “A good rabbit never gives up, from Peter Rabbit, and our Family one” (referring to Our Family Mission Statement, a little poem I wrote for my family that focuses on the universal themes of compassion, tolerance, and love). We then posted Our Family Mission statement on the 31st of August… and here we are.

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Levi talks about some ‘big issues’ on TikTok. How do you initially approach these conversations with your kids?

Well most of our ‘big issue’ conversations are initiated by them just asking questions. I try to always answer as best I can and with ageappropriate detail. Sometimes however when big events are happening around the world, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, or what’s been happening in Afghanistan, or even the new Texas abortion laws, it prompts me to initiate discussions with them.

Obviously, the conversations are tailored to each child, and I’m selective with what I think would be appropriate for them to hear and comprehend. For example, I didn’t discuss the current Texas abortion laws with them specifically, but rather it prompted me to revisit our conversations on women’s rights, consent, and the ethos of my body, my choice.

What were your thoughts when the Family Pledge poem video went viral?

I was absolutely overwhelmed! At the time of posting that video I was six months into our first lockdown and really struggling. The night before I posted it, I had an epic Mummy meltdown (on my own in the car), it was my lockdown misery crescendo! I felt so incredibly defeated and deflated. The next day however I posted our Family Mission Statement video and what came back was so much support and love and reassurance that I was a great parent.

I know a 60-second video doesn’t determine whether or not I’m actually a good parent, but those little comments of affirmation were what I so desperately needed at that time. And it just got better and better from there. 10 days later I signed a book deal with Affirm Press to adapt it into a children’s book (Our Family Pledge), and a few months after that I signed a contract with Beautiful Chorus who transformed it into a song.

How does Levi feel about being a TikTok star?

Ha, I’m not sure if he actually knows what that means. Sometimes I show him stadium pictures of what 360k people look like so he can have an understanding of how many followers we have.

He does sometimes say “I’m a TikTok boy and I have lots of friends that love me”, so perhaps that’s his understanding of being a TikTok star.

When Affirm Press got in contact, what was your initial reaction?

I was ecstatic, and then cautiously optimistic until I received an actual contract, and then back to ecstatic. I was blissfully joyful every single day for weeks, to the point where I was probably sickening to be around.

What’s been the best bit about having your poem become a picture book?

Oooh that’s a tricky one because this whole process has been one delightful surprise after the other, but perhaps what I currently am liking most is that I have contributed something small and tangible into our world with a timely and important message. I feel very proud of that.

And finally, what’s your favourite part of being a mother?

I absolutely adore that with the birth of my first child it completely unlocked some hidden temple of LOVE hiding within me that I never knew existed. I had no idea I could love like that until I had Harper. It was pure magic. I also love learning from them.

They teach me so much from what a mob is in Minecraft to the importance of listening and patience … I’m still learning the patience one though.

Our Family Pledge by Emmaline Carroll Southwell, illustrated by Vivian Mineker (Affirm Press), is out now at Booktopia and all good book stores.

Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

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SOCKS THAT SAVE According to the ABC’s War on Waste, Australians discard 6,000kg of textiles every ten minutes. Australians purchase on average 27kg of new textiles each year and then discard around 23kg into landfill annually.

Textiles ending up in landfill is not only a waste of the resources that went into creating them, but when they break down in landfill they create methane, a greenhouse gas that is 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Even more scary is the fact approximately a third of all the garments produced around the world never even leave the shop floor.

So where do they all end up?

Globally, 87% of all disposed textiles are sent to landfill or incinerated; 12% is mechanically recycled by cutting it or shredding it into fibre, insulation material or rags; and less than 1% is chemically recycled back to reusable raw materials. The effects that textiles have on the planet prove that the linear economy model of take, make and dispose is completely unsustainable.

The onus is on brands to develop and implement sustainable practices that enable them to take ownership of their own product life-cycle. As an industry, we not only need to be more concerned with our supply chain but also with the post-consumer waste of our products. Textile waste needs radical intervention now. We’re all accountable, we all have a role to play and we should all be learning together. It’s time to stand up for future generations. Together, we can make the textile industry a leader in sustainability.

But one Melbourne business is leading the way.

What started as ‘Manrags’, a company selling quality socks and undies, has now evolved into ‘Upparel’ and has seen a huge growth in business since committing to take responsibility for its products through continually improving the design, and offering reuse, repurposing and recycling services for textiles.

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Put a sock in it...

Melbourne parents Tina and Michael Elias started their subscription service for men’s socks back in 2016, and began their antiwaste program in 2019 when they realised how all the products they had sent out would ultimately end up in landfill. Old socks can’t be donated to charity. So where are they going?

Essentially they going to the tip. So they started by accepting old socks from customers and diverting them from landfill.

“Our kids are going to grow up very privileged, as do most Australian children,” Elias says.

“I kept thinking about my son or daughter turning around one day and going ‘well thanks for everything that you’ve done, but you fucked the planet in the process’. You know, ‘thanks for the car, which is electric, but I can’t drive anywhere because this whole place is a dump now because of you and your shit generation’.”

The COVID pivot In just four months they redirected 15,000kg of socks from the tip but they found there was a high demand for people to send them their other textiles as well. When COVID gave them the opportunity to pivot a little they began to accept all textiles.

“Everyone was home and they were clearing up their cupboards, and charities were closed. So we began accepting all types of textiles, as well as shoes.”

In one year they stopped 100,000 kg of textiles from being dumped in landfill, preventing the release of over 400,000 kg of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

So how does it work and where does it all go?

Customers pay $25, redeemable on orders of stylish Upparel socks, to have a box of unwanted clothes collected from their home.

It is then sorted and repurposed or recycled.

Reuse

So why recycle with Upparel?

Upparel is an example of the circular economy in action. Charity partners such as Sacred Heart Mission and Ready Set distribute clothing to people who need it.

BECAUSE IT’S SERIOUSLY CONVENIENT.

Seventy percent of textiles that come into their warehouse from consumers is still fit for wear, so they’ve teamed up with charity partners all over Australia to distribute these.

The clothing has already been sorted and selected for wearability, unlike many direct clothing donations. Charities in Australia last year spent $13 million disposing of unsaleable textiles to landfill, so they eliminate this problem.

Repurpose Then 20% of textiles are repurposed, like making old jeans into new denim products with partner store Homie.

Recycle The rest of the textiles are recycled by other partner companies. Cotton and similar fabrics are shredded, some to be used to fill mattresses, pet beds and home insulation. Polyester-based textiles are shredded and processed into chips which are reused to make more polyester.

3,152,828 items saved 462,930kg textiles diverted

Simply purchase and book in your collection online, then their courier network will collect your old textiles from your front door.

YOU’LL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT. For every 1kg of textiles you divert from landfill, you’ll be preventing 3-4kg of greenhouse gases from polluting the atmosphere.

NOTHING WILL END UP IN LANDFILL. By implementing their philosophy of reuse first where possible, then upcycle when necessary, they will ensure that nothing is ever sent offshore or dumped in landfill.

THEY’LL REWARD YOU FOR DOING GOOD! You’ll score $25 back in store credit just for participating in the program. Spend it on their range of sustainable socks knowing that you’ve positively contributed to the fight against textile landfill and kept your 23kgs from the tip.

Find out more at upparel.com.au

1,851,720kg greenhouse gases prevented 6,000kg textiles discarded every minute

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A bare journey After birth, mothers are often left to figure things out on their own and expected to put aside their needs to immediately care for their baby. Whilst there is a lot of information available around conception, pregnancy, and birth, postpartum remains a taboo topic which isn’t talked about as much as it should be leaving many mums-to-be feeling ill-equipped for what’s to come.

One such Aussie mama-to-be and founder of Bare Mum, Amelie Cazzulino, decided that prior to starting a family she wanted to be as

equipped as possible and eagerly delved into the sea of information around preconception, pregnancy and birth. Friends and family spoke reluctantly of the challenges they had faced following childbirth and how difficult it was to navigate the transition into motherhood for fear of being judged, so she knew more support was needed. So we chatted to Amelie about this...

After being diagnosed with endometrial polyps and a breast hamartoma, I realised for the first time that my journey to motherhood might not be as straightforward as I had once imagined.

For me, this meant several surgeries, lengthy recoveries, and difficulties conceiving. I had long wanted to be a mother but all of a sudden, I needed to know exactly how to best prepare myself for what was to come.

to bIrth Like many mums-to-be, I eagerly delved into the sea of information around preconception, pregnancy, birth, and all the welcomed (and not so welcomed) advice from family and friends. I realised that when it came to postpartum, the focus seemed to quickly shift from the carrying mother to the newborn baby.

Like many mums-to-be, I eagerly delved into the sea of information around preconception, pregnancy, birth Postpartum care for the newborn mother felt overlooked, with women expected to mostly figure things out on their own, put aside their needs to immediately care for their baby, all the while performing in their new role with positivity. Women spoke reluctantly of the challenges they had faced following childbirth and how difficult it was to navigate the transition into motherhood for fear of being judged.

From fertility to motherhood, women’s health and well-being are often taken for granted. We are told pregnancy comes (almost too) easily, births should go smoothly, and parenting should come naturally. Imagine if we were taught how to properly prepare for motherhood instead of how not to fall pregnant or being presented with a romanticised version of what life as a mother is like.

The thoughtfully designed personal care products are Australian designed, OB-GYN approved, sustainable and designed out of necessity. New mothers are often left to figure things out on their own and expected to put aside their needs to immediately care for their baby. Knowing that birth doesn’t always go to plan, Bare Mum has a thoughtful return policy for its Vaginal and C-Section Birth Kits to ensure every new mum has exactly what she needs.

Bare Mum’s products include a game-changing patented Postpartum Brief, uniquely designed to accommodate a reusable Warm and Cool Insert to bring soothing relief where needed (depending on the type of birth) as well as Australia’s first and only Herbal Infused Postpartum Pads with naturally soothing properties to relieve discomfort, an organic “skin care range and more.

Bare Mum strives to make decisions that work towards reducing their ecological footprint every step of the way. For them, sustainable thinking starts with thoughtful designs, resource-efficient materials, and a responsible production process.

Every item they produce has been made with care and purpose. Be the first to visit www.baremum.com.au.

So I set out to create Bare Mum to demystify and destigmatise what goes on during this transformative period, empower new mums with evidence-based information, and provide practical solutions to support their unique journey. I have spent the last 18 months working with women’s health specialists, researching, developing, and testing (on new mums only of course!) care products designed to help women better recover from childbirth, breastfeed more comfortably, and move through motherhood with confidence.

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SprIng Clean Your SkIn It goes without saying we love the great outdoors in Australia, and with so much to explore, who could blame us? That’s why choosing a skincare brand that understands the needs of Aussie skin is a must!

From sun protection to utilising the very best that native plants have to offer, there’s absolutely no reason to look anywhere else for all our beauty and skincare needs! Australia is creating some of the very best skin care products and with the arrival of Spring, there’s never been a better time to spring clean your bathroom cabinet and make it a little more ‘homegrown’.

Using ingredients planted and harvested on their farm in the Adelaide Hills, Jurlique’s Nutri-Define Supreme Rejuvenating Serum (RRP $165) is a silky, smooth serum containing the potency of Spilanthes Flower, Horseradish Root and Snowflake extracts to help reduce the appearance of all signs of ageing. This incredible serum delivers active ingredients to the skin to enhance barrier function and delivers radiant skin that glows. Plus it smells divine! Pair with Jurlique’s hero product - Activating Water Essence+, an essential step in every skincare ritual to provide long-lasting continuous hydration.

Switching a heavy foundation for a lighter tinted moisturiser as the seasons change is a must! Invisible Zinc Sheer Defence Tinted Moisturiser SPF50 (RRP $34) is a lightweight Aussie made sheer tint moisturiser and high protection mineral sunscreen with only one active ingredient. Zinc Oxide acts as a barrier against the sun, reflecting UV radiation away, nourishing, protecting and preventing the appearance of pesky fine lines due to all those glorious days frolicking in the sunshine.

Coast Sydney Botanicals develop skincare that harnesses the power of nature, with social and environmentally conscious intentions.

Ingredients that are 100% natural and free 34

from toxins is what will give your beauty routine the all important ‘feel good factor!’

The Simply Stronger: Kakadu Plum Face and Eye Cream Vitamin C Moisture Surge (RRP $59.90) is a highly concentrated face and eye cream containing natural plant-based active ingredients from organic and wild-harvested native Australian extracts including Kakadu Plum extract and Waratah Flower extract with Collageneer. This is your new beauty routine, multi-tasker; moisturising, firming, improving skin’s elasticity and protecting your skin from the harsh elements of the sun. Amazing right?

Sukin Skincare’s glorious vegan products are created with key botanicals, antioxidants, and essential oils. The result? Skincare that actually works, minus the nasty stuff! #enviromentalwin This is an Aussie brand that truly understands what beauty consumers want! Sukin has a natural face scrub to suit most skin concerns but my fave is the Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub 125ml (RRP $14.95) which leaves skin feeling refreshed and revitalised, without using the dreaded microbeads! You’re welcome!

Dr Roebuck’s STOKED Weightless Face Moisturizer 50ml (RRP $64) was created to regulate sebum production and treat pigmentation, while delivering a comfortable wash of hydration. No more tight skin post cleanse! Using an Australian native blend, Wildberry Harvest, this product soothes, rejuvenates and restores radiance in the skin while fighting free radical damage to prevent premature aging. Mama’s with combination or oily skin, especially sensitive, congested or acne-prone, add this to your cart! Top moisturisation and improved overall radiance in the skin with antibacterial benefits!

It has been said that Sodashi is the purest skincare range in the world, and the brand’s global success is a testament to that. They have a small-batch approach to beauty; each product lovingly crafted and each batch a one-off production. I love the Sodashi Clay Cleanser with Lavender (RRP $69). It’s perfect for all skin

types, particularly dry, dehydrated or *ahem mature skin. This luxurious, non-drying, cream cleanser has incredible restorative benefits, promoting new cell growth to smooth fine lines and balance oil production. Get this in your bathroom!

Australia’s favourite ritualistic skincare brand MV Skin Therapy has a comprehensive collection of products, perfect for mamas!

Created for daily skin nurturing, especially the ‘stretchy bits’- like mum’s bums and tums, the nourishing Aromatic Body Oil (120ml RRP $69) works wonders for hydrating and toning the skin. Camellia and avocado oils enriched with thoughtfully chosen essential oils support elasticity and maintain supple skin. This is guaranteed to leave you feeling gorgeous Mama and is safe for use during the last six months of pregnancy. Pair this with Multi Balm (RRP $35) (your new best friend) saving cracked nipples, sore cuticles, dry lips and even great for dermatitis!

Happy Hours Skincare is so super safe it can be used on kids’ skin, pregnant skin, sensitive skin… in fact, EVERYONE’s skin. Protect Natural Sunscreen – SPF50 ($29.95) has a 4 hour water resistance and is free from all the bad stuff so mamas can truly enjoy using a sunscreen that not only looks after bubs skin (with zinc oxide, beeswax and lemon essential oil) but looks after the planet too! Reef safe, kid and pregnancy friendly... Um, can we get a hell yeah!!!?! Pair with their moisturiser and you’re good to go this Spring!

Thought you’d never find the secret to everlasting youth? Well, it’s your lucky day.

The Jojoba Company’s Ultimate Youth Potion + L22® (RRP $44.95) has a secret ingredient that mimics the same lipid profile as healthy 22-year-old skin. Say what now? Yes! This pregnancy safe, “liquid gold” has been created to rewind the clock on aging and provide you with glowing 22-year-old skin using NSW grown Wadi-Wadi Jojoba which is clinically proven to be more efficacious than other species of jojoba grown all over the world.

Ultimate Youth Potion + L22® (RRP $44.95).

By Olivia Wilson.

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Help your haIr These are the things your hairdresser wishes you would stop doing Hairdressers can sometimes feel like miracle workers. They style our hair with ease, achieve that perfect blonde tone and nail a blunt cut every time. I’m sure you’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered why you can’t achieve the same results at home – they make it look so easy! So you want their best advice? Well, sometimes that starts with what you shouldn’t be doing. We spoke to Grow’s Expert Hair Stylist Belinda Keeley of Chumba Concept Salon about all the things your hairdresser wishes you would stop doing.

Going to bed with wet hair Chances are you’ve done this on several occasions, and you’re forgiven if you have!

We know what it’s like when it’s late, you’re tired and you just don’t have the energy to dry your hair. BUT, it’s important to know that Your hair is weakest whilst wet which can mean it can easily get damaged while you’re moving your head about on your pillow while you sleep. Going to bed with wet hair can cause breakage (especially in blondes or those with particularly brittle hair), not to mention extra knots or kinks that will be hard to get out in the morning. Rather than going straight to bed with wet hair, do a luxe hair treatment a few hours before bed to ensure your hair is nourished and strengthened from the inside out. We love Grow Haircare’s Anti- Breakage Hair Mask which is formulated with amino acids and key actives to help strengthen hair deep from within and prevents damage and breakage caused by environmental stress, chemical treatments or over styling.

Covering your hair with too many silicones Unfortunately, silicones are an ingredient found in many supermarket shampoos, conditioners and treatment products. The problem with 36

silicones is that they add another barrier layer to hair strands, so, while it will initially it looks shiny and new, it prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft. It also is a magnet for dirt and other ingredients and over time hair accumulates more product build up on the hair. Silicones do an amazing job at covering up any damage we do to our manes, but that can mean the reality underneath is lacklustre.

Silicone build-up can cause hair to become brittle, lifeless and dull, and can also react with professional colour. If you’ve been using a silicone-based shampoo for a while now, try giving your hair a detox with a silicone free shampoo and conditioner. It will remove the build up and get your hair on the right track to where you want it to be. We recommend Grow’s range of silicone free shampoos, conditioners and treatment products, like Grow’s Longer Stronger Shampoo – and yes, you can get them at Woolworths!

Overuse of hot tools With many people working from home, right now is a good time to ease up on the hot tools.

Yes we know that hairdressers use hot styling tools on a daily basis, but overuse can damage the hair. Try to minimise the amount of times you’re using heated tools on your hair because too much heat can lead to brittle, damaged hair and split ends. Heat-based styling tools such as hair dryers and hair straighteners are great, but only if used sporadically. Minimise the amount of times you’re using these types of tools if you can. A great way to do this is by letting your hair air dry on the days when you can get away with it and consider using a dry shampoo to get more longevity out of your hair style.

Not caring about your scalp Here’s some advice you may not have heard before – the skin on your scalp is just as important as the skin on your face! Many people don’t realise that our scalps actually have a lot to do with our hair health, so it’s

important to look after it much the same. Just like you would keep your skin in check with dedicated daily cleansing, your scalp needs regular attention too. Invest in a scalp scrub that will give your scalp a deep exfoliation and remove any product build up on your hair. Touted as ‘exfoliation for the scalp’, a scalp scrub could be the thing that’s missing in your haircare routine. Invest in a quality scalp scrub like Grow’s Stimulating Scalp Scrub which is formulated with natural sea salt and peppermint oil to effectively eliminate impurities and remove product build up. It will detox, refresh and restore balance to your hair and scalp, whilst purifying and leaving your scalp restored. Fun fact, a scalp scrub can assist with the prevention of hair thinning and shedding, so it’s a perfect addition to your haircare routine if you’re looking to grow out your hair. The best bit about Grow’s Stimulating Scalp Scrub? On scrub days there is no need to also shampoo!

Using box dyes Ok, we totally understand if you’ve used a box dye or two over the past year and a half – some people literally had no other choice! However, if you can, try to stop using them because they can cause many difficulties with colour corrections at the salon. Box dyes are typically a more concentrated formulation than salon hair colour and can contain a host of harsh chemicals. They’re also not tailored to hair type, so it can be really hard to get the desired colour and even harder to get it out!

Having unrealistic expectations While there is nothing wrong with requesting a specific cut or colour, try to have realistic expectations. If you’re currently sporting black locks, don’t expect to go platinum blonde in one sitting. We can work miracles sometimes, but we are not magicians! It’s ok if you want to ask questions or check in how you might be able to get to a desired end-result. Better yet, bring in pictures that can better explain what you want. Sometimes things can get lost in translation so verbally explaining what you want can be confusing if you both have different ideas about tones etc. The good thing to know is that most hairdressers will be honest with you and let you know if they don’t think they can achieve it.

Lying about your hair history Ok so you might have done a sneaky little dye job at home (we understand) but please tell us about it! I know it can feel a little embarrassing or might seem better if you just blame it on a previous hairdresser, but that can cause all sorts of problems. What might seem like innocent white lie can lead to a disastrous hair outcome.

Things like box dyes, henna and home peroxide jobs can cause reactions with professional products during the colouring process and can alter what direction your stylist has to take with your hair. For example, some black box dyes can take up to a year to shift, with some not so pretty colours exposed in the process.

Be mindful that hairdressers aren’t asking you about your hair history to embarrass you, we’re asking so we can make sure we do the best job possible!

Ignoring advice from your hairdresser Yes, sometimes it might feel like your hairdresser is suggesting a particular product because they are trying to sell you something, but truth be told, they’re suggesting it because it’s the right product for your hair. A hairdresser has likely suggested a particular product because it’s been specifically formulated with high quality ingredients that target specific hair and scalp concerns. Hairdressers suggest these type of products because they actually do work and we want your hair to still be looking fresh by your next appointment. If budget is a concern, tell us! There is always a solution and lots of quality products at every price point. It makes our jobs a whole lot easier when you come back in and your hair will thank you for it.

By Belinda Keely, haircare expert at Grow. growhaircare.com.au

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twenty voIces of 2o2o As a creative living on the edge of the Mornington Peninsula, I seem to thrive on having a ‘project’ on the go - a renovation, an exhibition, and now a book. My passion is people. Nature, words, music and painting are my escapes. I live by simple values; be kind, be authentic, be bold. Tenacity is both my strength and my weakness. I’m proud of my Dutch heritage and the strongwomen that surround me - my oma, my mum and my three daughters.

My university sweetheart Michael and I moved down to Frankston South from St Kilda around 14 years ago. I love being a stone’s throw from the beach and the bushlands of Sweetwater Creek. This was what kept me sane during the second lockdown, pounding the pavement discovering new streets and reserves within my 5km radius. I wasn’t able to pick up my paint brushes due to limited space as we’d embarked on a major renovation. Normally my work is city-based, four to five days a week. I’ve been working from home for nearly a year now and counting. For the first time in 15 years, I have discovered the true meaning of work-life balance 2020 was always going to look different for our family, with a major renovation that had been on our ‘wishlist’ for several years, finally kicking off late 2019. What we didn’t know as we greeted 2020, was that we would all soon be grappling with a global pandemic that would grip the world and change life as we knew it.

Planes were grounded, hospitality and retail needed to pivot quickly as restaurants, bars and shops closed. Toilet paper became a commodity, people stockpiled food and goods, and petrol prices plummeted by up to 40 per cent.

The emptiness of the streets was unfamiliar and for many of us, oddly calming. School gates shut and students moved to online learning.

Working from home became our ‘new normal’.

We experienced our first virtual funeral, sat indoors watching the AFL Grand Final being played for the first time on Queensland soil and witnessed many crowdless public events including the Melbourne Cup. 38

We learnt new words and phrases – like social distancing, physical distancing, ‘rona’, 1.5, ‘keeping us apart keeps us together’, ‘unbutton for Sutton’ and ‘double donuts’. Words like ‘cases’, ‘tested’ and ‘positive’ brought on new meanings. We learnt to adapt, we learnt to live without, and we dug deep to find new strengths.

Some were impacted more than others, and we all have our story. Most years are full for my family, but 2020 was particularly challenging.

This was a time when my profession as a Change Manager took on personal significance.

It’s my job to help people navigate through significant change, to remove uncertainty and to prepare them for what’s ahead. These skills became invaluable as I sought to guide our three children along the uncertain road before us as best I could. My number one goal was to stay calm, to quell signs of panic, so that the girls could keep learning and stay healthy minded.

I remember 2020 as a year which required extreme patience and self-determination. It was a time when I was needing to motivate myself daily to keep moving and to keep positive. But it was also a time when I was needing to motivate my family to eat well, to exercise and to keep going. In 2020 we were under extraordinary pressure as a family with a renovation, and yet this was overshone by the need to adapt to living, working and schooling in the face of COVID-19.

I often found myself stepping back and analysing our varying capacities to adapt. It was fascinating to observe how one’s individual outlook on life could play such a significant role in this; the growth mindset versus the closed, the empowered approach versus the disempowered. I witnessed extroverts struggling during lockdown whilst introverts revelled.

At an organisational level, I saw cracks and strengths being pushed to the surface; with some businesses proving nimble enough to adjust to a new way of operating while others weren’t. This time also shone a light on people in leadership. There were those who focused

on the ‘loss’ and ended up running out of time to adapt, and there were those who accepted the situation and moved quickly to respond in order to survive.

We were asking big things of people during this period; to shift to new ways of working, schooling and living...and to do it quickly. It was a time when we were being forced to make decisions about how we were going to react, and how we were going to handle what was now in front of us. I remember the feeling of sheer terror when we started to discover more, and then more, about the virus. I was undeniably worried about the unknown. My husband and I decided to work from home earlier than most as we weren’t comfortable with continuing to do the one-hour commute on public transport from the Mornington Peninsula to the city. Little did we know that we would not go back to the office in 2020.

At the time of starting this story, we were coming out of our second wave of COVID-19 in Victoria, having endured a state-wide lockdown that will stay with us forever. The emotions were raw and I found myself wanting to capture my children’s experience before the passage of time swept the depth and breadth of their recollections away. The story has evolved as I have collected more voices, timeboxing 2020 from many more and many different perspectives of people in my community, but in their words – the travel agent, the hairdresser, the nine-year-old school girl, the pilot, the school principal, the sergeant, the doctor who lives up the road.

I am one ordinary person that lived through this extraordinary time, along with 7.6 billion others. This story is a collection of 20 voices from people within my orbit – my hairdresser, my pilates teacher, my husband, my friend, the principal of our daughters’ school, my motherin-law who couldn’t see her grandchildren, the doctor who lives up the road.

Their stories are a small, yet significant, part of the broader 2020 experience. Like a thread, they weave through our differences and commonalities, ultimately stitching together upon a fabric that is so much greater than ourselves alone.

courage in sharing their personal and private experiences, particularly given that behind the doors of lockdown, emotional, psychological and physical challenges were present and became a part of each story told.

These 20 stories are united by strength, and the wholeness of the human experience as it constantly shifts from the ordinary day-to-day to the profound.

They are also united by connection - the connection to self, the connection to family and community through the building of both stronger and new relationships, and even more broadly, the connection to those far beyond as they too navigated the impact of COVID-19.

I hope you enjoy reading my collective of short stories as much as I enjoyed listening to them. It has been hard to know when to stop being a gatherer of these experiences - are 20 voices enough? It is harder still as the story of COVID-19 continues...

This is an edited extract from Twenty Voices of 2020 by Jo Fuller. Jo takes us to one small corner of the world to see the human impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, sharing some of the stories from people in her community. Grab your keepsake book via www.twentyvoices.com.au or follow the thread of @20_Voices on Instagram

Some were impacted more than others, and we all have our story.

So humbling to listen to, each story was captured using neither my voice or words, but theirs. As the storytellers, they showed such 39

on the shelf

kids

Roary the Lion by Rory H. Mather All Lions roar, right? Not Roary and he’s supposed to be the King of the Jungle! Try as he might, poor Roary has trouble finding his voice. Can his friends help him find his bellow or will he be left with a tiny squeak?

Roary the Lion is a fun and interactive story for noise makers that explores themes of resilience, friendship and determination and encourages a ‘never give up’ attitude and problem solving skills. Filled with bright and colourful illustrations of jungle animals by Patrick Corrigan.

Published by Larrikin House. RRP $24.99 RRP

The spectacular suit by Kat Patrick A gorgeous picture book about the nervous joy of expressing yourself through clothing and the strength that comes with family support. Finding the perfect look (especially one with such strong Bowie vibes) for your own party can be incredibly empowering, and The Spectacular Suit also plays with gender in the same, delightful way that children do. While this story is a great one for sharing with children from the age of three, when the desire to choose your own outfit really begins to take hold, it could be perfect for those well into primary school, when individuality and identity begin to take on more significance. Published by Scribe publishing. RRP $24.99.

…

Where’s my dinosaur? by Aisling Kwok Daddy told me I’m getting a new playmate. I am so excited! I hope it’s a puppy. Or even a little chick. Ooh, it might even be a bunny. But most of all I hope it’s a dinosaur — I love dinosaurs!

Young readers will enter the mind of an imaginative child as she anticipates the arrival of a new sibling. Where’s My Dinosaur? perfectly captures the intensity of childhood curiosity and obsessions and is a wonderful gift for a child whose family are expecting a new baby.

Published by Yellow Brick Books. RRP $26.95.

Backyard Birdies by Andy Geppert This is a common pigeon. Common because it’s almost identical to every other pigeon. You’ll sometimes see a white one. That’s because it’s just had a bath. I made that last bit up.

If you would like to learn more VERY REAL facts like this about some of Australia’s most common backyard birds, this is the book for you. A handy first field guide packed full of fascinating facts (some of them are even true) about Australia’s most common backyard birds.

Published by Lothian Children’s Books. RRP $19.95.

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t(w)een Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee Pip never wants to go home. She likes to sit at the waterhole at dusk and remember Mika, her best friend. At home her mother’s not the same since her boyfriend Matt moved in. They don’t laugh anymore and Pip has to disappear into her bedroom and pretend she doesn’t exist. When she finds a half-dead baby dragon at the waterhole, everything changes.

She knows she has to save this small creature and return it to where it comes from. But how? Published by Allen and Unwin. RRP $19.99.

Know Your Rights and Claim Them: A Guide For Youth by Angelina Jolie, Amnesty International, and Geraldine Van Bueren If you are aged under 18 you have your own set of human rights. Know Your Rights and Claim Them celebrates the difference young activists have made in every corner of the world, and shows you how to challenge injustice wherever you may find it. It presents expert advice on peaceful protest, raising awareness at school and in your community, starting your own campaign and getting those in power to listen, plus vital guidance on protecting your safety, digital security and mental health.

Published by Andersen Press. RRP $18.99.

Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment A fantasy-adventure graphic novel about two best friends and their discovery of a mysterious village, perfect for fans of Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet or Raina Telgemeier’s Ghost. Grand adventures often begin where you least expect.

Iris knows this because she’s read them all. But when she and her best friend, Sam, stumble upon an unusually dry riverbed on the outskirts of town, they make a discovery beyond anything Iris has read about: a hidden city, lost in time and shrouded in mystery. Storm clouds gather as secrets begin to surface. Can Iris and Sam uncover the truth in time to keep their friendship afloat, or will history repeat itself and pull them apart forever?

Published by Allen and Unwin. 6-10 years old. RRP $16.99.

Shadowghast by Thomas Taylor On the eve of Ghastly Night, a hypnotic stage magician, Caliastra, checks in to Eerie-on-Sea’s Grand Nautilus Hotel. She’s arrived with her entourage to put on a show – and she claims to be related to Herbert Lemon. Caliastra’s act is so shadowy and strange that Herbie’s friend Violet wonders if dark forces are at work, but Herbie won’t hear a word said against his new relation. Meanwhile, folk are disappearing from the town, and no one knows why. There is an Eerie legend that goes back to the dawn of time, about a creature made of darkness that devours the shadows of the living. Could the Shadowghast have really returned? Published by Walker Books. RRP $17.99.

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adults The younger wife by Sally Hepworth Tully and Rachel are murderous when they discover their father has a new girlfriend. The fact that Heather is half his age isn’t even the most shocking part. Stephen is still married to their mother, who is stricken with Alzheimer’s. Heather knows she has an uphill battle to win Tully and Rachel over - particularly while carrying the shameful secrets of her past. But, as it turns out, her soon-to-be stepdaughters have secrets of their own. The announcement of Stephen and Heather’s engagement threatens to set off a family implosion, with old wounds and dark secrets finally being forced to the surface. A garage full of stolen goods. An old hot water bottle, stuffed with cash. A blood-soaked wedding. And that’s only the beginning...

Published by Macmillan Australia. October 26th. RRP $32.99.

Feast: 100 generous dishes to share by Miguel Maestre In Feast, Miguel shares his absolute favourite recipes to enjoy with family and friends. There are big, satisfying dinners as well as lots of smaller dishes to mix and match in classic share-plate style. Miguel’s food is a loving nod to the dishes of his Spanish heritage, but is also very firmly based in the modern Australian kitchen. Whether you’re getting together for brunch, looking for something fast on a weeknight or to try some new dishes for a family celebration, there are so many bold and exciting flavours here to discover.

These are generous meals from a big-hearted chef who knows that simple, good food makes everyone smile. Published by Plum. RRP $39.99

Broken by Camilla Nelson and Catharine Lumby A devastating account of how Australia’s family courts fail children, families and victims of domestic abuse.

Broken explores the complexities and failures of Australia’s family courts through the stories of children and parents whose lives have been shattered by them. Camilla Nelson and Catharine Lumby take the reader into the back rooms of the system to show us what it feels like to be caught up in spirals of abusive litigation. They reveal how the courts have been politicised by Pauline Hanson and men’s rights groups, and how those they are meant to protect most – children – are silenced or treated as property.

Published by Black Inc Books. RRP $32.99

The Sex Ed You Never Had by Chantelle Otten From award-winning psychosexologist Chantelle Otten comes the welloverdue, inclusive and meticulous guide to all things sex, bodies and relationships.

For too long, talking about our anatomies and our experiences has been taboo. Normal functions have been deemed embarrassing and even shameful, impacting people’s mental and physical health. In this amazing and comprehensive guide, filled with accurate facts and helpful illustrations, Chantelle refuses to leave these conversations languishing any longer.

Published by Allen and Unwin. RRP $34.99

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7 TIPS FOR HOLIDAYS ON A BUDGET If you’re like me, you’ll be itching to travel again once borders reopen! But don’t let your next holiday break the bank…Holidays are meant to be fun and relaxing. However, if you blow your budget, you end up more stressed than before you left. What a waste! Follow these tips for holidays on a budget to avoid coming home to a nasty debt pile:

1. Plan ahead It’s always a good idea to plan ahead. But in COVID times, planning takes on new importance.

As we’ve seen, the situation can change quickly with restrictions and border closures.

Consider: • Not just where do you want to go, but where can you go?

• Which places are most popular? (You can stretch your budget further and support local businesses by going somewhere quieter) • Do you need to quarantine at your destination or on your return? Or both?

Or get stuck in a “bubble” change? (If so, that adds to your costs and the amount of leave you will need) • Do you have a back-up destination in mind?

Planning ahead could save you a small fortune and help avoid your relaxing getaway becoming a stressful nightmare.

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2. Book in advance This is another reason planning is so valuable – you can book ahead and lock in cheaper rates.

Even a 5% discount saves you $250 on a $5,000 holiday! Can a travel manager assist you with itinerary savings?

Comparison sites are useful but try contacting operators too – they may offer better prices or free upgrades for booking with them directly.

Also, booking ahead means you should miss out on disappointments – for example, campervans and caravans are hugely popular right now, but demand is outstripping supply.

3. Protect yourself Explore what you can do to safeguard your travel budget in case things go wrong, including COVID outbreaks, general sickness, accidents, and natural disasters.

Ensure that you can cancel or alter bookings without incurring extra charges. This goes for any flights, accommodation, vehicle rentals, equipment hire, tours and so on.

Also consider getting travel insurance. But read the fine print carefully – is COVID/public health restrictions covered by the policy? What costs are and are not insured? Is every member of your family covered? Is there a cap on how much can be claimed?

Hopefully you won’t need to use these, but you’ll be really thankful for having them if you do!

4. Spend points not cash All that shopping online while in lockdown and paying with cards instead of cash means those credit card points will have accumulated quickly!

You could redeem those points to pay for part or all of your trip. The same goes with any unused frequent flyer points from previous trips.

Use them where you can get the most value.

For instance, many schemes offer better value if you spend points on goods or services instead of redeeming them for cash.

Does a family member, colleague or friend have travel bank credits that are about to expire that they are not going to use? Can you do a deal to use them at a discount rather than they lose the credit completely?

5. Claim COVID incentives This year, most state and territory governments are offering incentives to support local hospitality and tourism businesses. Why not take advantage of these and holiday close to home!

It’s essentially free money, and every little bit that doesn’t come out of your pocket is a welcome relief, especially at Christmas time.

Check the eligibility criteria to see where they are valid. And don’t forget to claim for everyone – some incentives are available to each adult within your household.

6. Take what you need It may be quite a while since you last got to enjoy a holiday away, so don’t forget that everything is more expensive in holiday destinations!

Wherever possible, take everything you need with you to minimise your spending while you’re away.

That includes clothes for all occasions, toiletries, incidentals like sunscreen and insect repellent, as well as any sporting gear you may need.

If you have space, consider taking food too for picnic lunches and breakfasts on the go.

7. Have your kids earn their spending money Let’s face it – you’ll be paying for your kids’ holiday adventures anyway. But you can teach them the value of money by having them earn their spending money beforehand.

Weight the value of jobs against their degree of difficulty. Have them start now to save those dollars over time, rather than a mad dash days before you leave.

Not only does it help you spread the cost of your holiday over several months, but you also get some odd jobs around the house done for you!

By Helen Baker, licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women (Ventura Press, $32.99).

Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au Note any advice or information in this article is of a general nature only and has not taken into account your personal objectives, financial situation, and needs. Because of that, before acting on the advice, you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your personal objectives, financial situation, and needs. Opinions constitute judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change.

Mama’s favourite Victorian family destinations: 1. Best Friend Holiday Retreat, Tarra Valley Rainforest, Gippsland.

Designed for people holidaying with their four-legged friend, a more dog friendly caravan park you won’t find. Pitch a tent of pick one of their fully fenced cabins.

2. Phillip Island.

There is so much to see and do as a family at Phillip Island. Penguins, seals, beaches and more. We love to base ourselves in Cowes so we can walk to all the great food options!

3. The Macedon Ranges.

An easy drive from Melbourne, pick from a caravan park in Macedon, a guesthouse in the heart of Kyneton, a luxury farmstay in the hills of the Cobaw Ranges, to a secluded mountain retreat with views to Hanging Rock. Then get out and explore!!

4. Farmstays Get the kids off their devices and back out in nature. Spend time on the land, interact with animals and feast on farm fresh produce, at the source.

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mama’s on schedule With Australia in and out of border closures, lockdowns and remote learning, I know how most of us are feeling right now; stuck, in limbo, awkward, uncomfortable with no sense of purpose or direction. It’s easy to feel like this when many of us have lost our jobs, our routines and our regular way of living, and as a result our calendars and planners may be looking a little empty.

However, this is the time when you need to be using them the most! It’s time to start planning and reinforcing good habits to keep both mentally and physically healthy. Personally, I always plan my daily routines, budget, meals and habits - this is what helps me get through each day not only in a productive way BUT by keeping my anxiety at bay and mental health in check.

Now I’m not saying you can’t slow down and live in your pjs some days (I know I have!), because this is the perfect time to breathe and try to pace our lives. However, having a sense of routine right now is going to do wonders for your mental and physical health. With this in mind, I have provided some organisation tips and free resources to help reinforce positive routines and habits for the whole family.

Kids’ daily plans Mamas, I feel you right now. We are all racking our brains trying to keep the kids entertained for longer than five minutes. What I find helps is creating a little routine for them ahead of time.

It can be as simple as craft time, watching a movie, outdoor play or reading books.

I have created some free printable resources for parents to provide them with some inspiration and ideas. Check out my Indoor + Outdoor Scavenger Hunt and 30 Home Activities for Families printable charts.

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Some helpful tips for kids stuck at home: • Create obstacle courses around the house to get them moving.

• Check out Cosmic Yoga on YouTube for yoga, mindfulness, and guided relaxation classes to keep them relaxed and focused, particularly for children being homeschooled.

• Schedule Facetime dates with separated family and friends to maintain their social skills and personal connections.

• Utilise items like empty toilet rolls, cardboard boxes and recycled paper for crafts to nurture and maintain their creativity.

• Keep their bedtime routine the same to maintain a sense of structure for our little ones.

Plan your meals Anyone else need to practise social distancing from their fridge right now? Everyone is struggling to avoid snacking all day and finding it hard to stick to the usual mealtimes - meal planning will help! Planning our meals each week also allows us to save a lot of money and avoid food wastage. Meal planning is something I’ve done for many years as I hate the pressure of trying to think of what to make for dinner each night.

I meal plan for the week ahead every Sunday.

Try researching new recipes to cook each week and then save your favourites. I aim to try one new recipe per week, and I love my slow cooker right now because I throw in all the ingredients in the morning, and its ready by dinner time – all I have to do is plate up!

From your meal plan you can then write your specific shopping list, which will stop you buying too much food or items that you don’t need, and makes shopping in store, or online, faster and more efficient.

Cleaning schedule

Revisit goals

Having an organised and clean space around you will reduce the feeling of chaos. Using a cleaning schedule allows me to keep on top of my housework so I don’t have to spend all weekend cleaning. For example, I break up the cleaning into sections each day which takes me 30 mins max. Mondays I do bathrooms, Tuesdays I do floors etc.

Now is a great time to reflect on the progress of your 2021 goals so far and list the little things you can still do to achieve these. Whether it’s starting a new business or hobby, now is the perfect time to research and get those plans in motion!

Schedule your movement

Sticking to good habits is important right now as it’s so easy to fall into bad habits during times like these (I know I have!). For me habits like meditation, writing in my to do-list, 2L water consumption and daily walks are keeping me sane! Small efforts equate to enormous results.

Being cooped up inside right now means most of us aren’t getting enough exercise or movement. I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to get out and go for a walk each day or do a home workout. My husband and I tag team so we can both get out for a run or walk each day. If you don’t have the chance to do this, do a home workout or take the kids on a family walk. Fresh air and endorphins will do you a world of wonders.

Schedule this movement in each day and tick it off.

Refine your habits

By Steph Pase. You can check out all sides of Steph from business, health, beauty, fitness, mental well-being, mum life, recipes, interior styling and organisation on her website Just Another Mummy Blog, join her 225K insta followers at @justanothermummyblog and check out her new Steph Pase Planners!

Some exercise ideas you can do right now include daily walks, riding bikes, YouTube yoga/ pilates, home workouts, interval running around the block and kids’ scavenger hunts outside.

Schedule self-care Self-care is so important, especially during stressful times like these. My tip is to write out your favourite self-care practices and then allocate at least one to each day. It doesn’t have to be something that takes hours, it can be as simple as going to bed early, putting down your phone or a doing a face mask. I also have a free 30 Day Self-Care Challenge available that can provide you with easy ideas on how to fill your self-care cup back up.

Setting new budgets This is just as important now as ever, especially if you have had a change in income. Identify where you may be able to make some changes to minimise your cost of living. If you’re not sure where to start I recommend reading “The Barefoot Investor”. Look at your monthly fixed and variable expenses and compare this to your current income to see where you can save money.

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NaIl your style, Mama It goes without saying, Mamas are pretty good at putting everyone else first, even when it comes to our style! How many of us are walking around in a fairly tired looking, ‘bargain outfit’ whilst our children are sporting the latest threads? #Guilty.

As Spring gets underway there’s never been a better time for us to bloom. Yes Mama, it’s time for us to open up our wardrobes and redefine our personal style once and for all.

Bridget’s tips to get you started Tip 1: Freshen up your wardrobe in an instant by simply arranging your clothing into colours.

Start with white at one end of your wardrobe and create a rainbow of colour to black at the other. This is a simple technique enabling you to clearly see what gaps you may have in your collection. Making a list in your phone of styles you’re missing will be really helpful on your next shopping trip and will put a stop on impulse buying too!

Tip 2: Don’t be afraid to try new styles! That’s right! If you admire something in store but think “oh that’s not for me” pick it up and try it on! You might surprise yourself.

Tip 3: Investing in classic pieces that will stand the test of time is a great way to shop sustainably. Classic styles are the ones that “go with” everything. A crisp white shirt and a great pair of jeans are a must for all wardrobes.

Celebrity and personal stylist Bridget Bell is a woman in the know when it comes to personal style! Stylist to TV and radio personalities for more than 15 years, Bridget has styled hundreds of shoots, bringing together thousands of looks for both men and women.

She’s been the “behind the scenes” mastermind creating and defining styles for Kat Stewart, Asher Keddie, Erin Holland, Abbey Gelmi, Rebecca Judd, Yumi Stynes and Monty to name a few! When it comes to composing the perfect outfit Bridget is your gal!

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Tip 4: Creating a capsule wardrobe is key to getting dressed each day without the stress.

Multiple looks with just 10 pieces in similar colours and shades will save you time and money. Don’t over think it! Shades of blues and whites work really well, as do neutrals with white.

Tip 5: Investing in a classic trench coat and a selection of blazers is a great way to make transeasonal styling easy. Remember: blazers aren’t only for the office. Popping one on over jeans and your favourite T-shirt, will elevate your everyday style in an instant.

Over the last five years Bridget has turned her hand to personal styling, showing us the wow factor isn’t just for the rich and famous.

Working with executives, mums in business and entrepreneurs via 1:1 styling sessions Bridget brings her styling expertise to the comfort of our homes.

A personal styling experience is so much more than just clothes and accessories, it’s about selfcare and having the opportunity to create the very best, most confident version of you. Mum Bridget knows that just a few simple changes to the way you dress can have an enormous impact on how you feel. Put yourself first Mama, overhaul your wardrobe, redefine your style and watch the magic happen!

Never have anything to wear? Let Bridget help with her top 5 tips for nailing that “go get em, easy, everyday style” we’re all looking for!

Celebrity and Personal Stylist Bridget Bell – Founder of Style Ambition. www.styleambition.com.au

WIN

a giant 7-game pack from...

After the last 18 months of lockdowns you’re no doubt bored or all the board games (pard0n the pun) you’ve got at home. Never fear, Mama and Goliath are here. We’ve got a huge pack of fantastic new games including Windy Knickers, Rattlesnake Jake and Pop the Pig, OK Boomer!, Gator Golf, Tetris Dual and Sequence for Kids to be won!

Colour to win!

Click to download a copy See www.mamamag.com.au/competitions for terms and conditions. Parent’s email will be added to our monthly MamaMail. You can opt out at any time.

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HOW TO TEACH CHILDREN TO LOVE AND RESPECT THEIR BODIES From reflections of self-acceptance to deconstructing the definition of “fat”, there are some key ways we can nurture body positive kids.

When we talk about standards of beauty, many are quick to point a finger at the media.

But have we taken a look in our own homes?

Chances are we have svelte and blonde Barbie dolls or chiselled superhero figurines lying around our kids’ rooms next to books with “regular size” characters; while our own spaces as parents may be filled with “how to lose weight” recipes, workout videos on repeat, or restrictive shapewear so that clothes “fit better”.

Our environments and lifestyles are full of unintentional triggers that could potentially impact or influence our children’s perceptions of beauty—and in turn, their thoughts on body positivity… or negativity.

Body issues affect children as early as three As it turns out, children are not as optimistic or carefree as we think, with new research finding negative thoughts around their weight and how their bodies look. According to the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY), 24 percent of childcare professionals witness signs of body-related unhappiness amongst kids as young as 3-years-old. That number almost doubles as children get older, with 47 percent identifying similar body image anxieties in 6 to 10-year-olds.

This is why how we talk to our children about beauty and bodies is crucial. The same goes 50

for how we talk to ourselves about it, which should be reflected in the way we lead our lives. As parents, we are the first and main role models in their lives, and children internalise our words and actions more than we think.

How we define what is strong, healthy or goodlooking will go on to shape their thoughts, so introducing diversity and inclusivity is key.

Teach your child about selfacceptance in the mirror One of the first few things we teach our children is the basics of anatomy. As soon as they demonstrate some form of understanding about their bodies, we should start bringing attention to body parts—like hands, ears, toes and lips. Not only will this teach them that no matter what other images they see growing up, their body parts are their own, and are great just the way they are. While in front of a mirror, you can ask them to point out where their knees, arms and nose are, and use words of affirmation to highlight their functions: like “isn’t your nose great, it helps you smell and taste!”

Always find the positive, but also acknowledge any differences that make them unique. No one is perfect, and no one expects them to be.

Be a body positive role model If your child sees you obsessing over calories, what the weighing scale says, or constantly bingeing on junk food on the couch, they will follow suit. How you live your life as a parent forms the building blocks of their daily habits and self-esteem, as they tend to mirror behaviours while discovering and soaking in the world around them. So we have to set

worthy examples. Teach them how all foods fit in a healthy diet—dessert included—and how exercise helps them grow up strong and healthy. Emphasising the positive outcomes of balance and satisfaction over the negative effects of restriction or indulgence is key.

Normalise all bodies and body talk as they grow up Continue talking about bodies as your children grow up into toddlers and as they go through puberty. Have open conversations about how their body and appearance will change over time—and that that’s ok—and that everyone develops differently. This includes having different skin tones and hair colours, as well as varying and ever-changing heights and weights. Besides talking, expose them to a variety of real, unedited bodies of all shapes and shades through all sorts of media from YouTube videos to books on diversity and body positivity.

This, versus always watching traditional celebrity-driven content that more often than not, glorifies a particular look and standard of “beauty” or “masculinity”, which children can be hyper-attuned to. One of the books I love that teaches self-love and body positivity declarations for young girls is Her Body Can by Katie Crenshaw and Ady Meschke.

Celebrate both their physical and non-physical attributes It’s easy to become fixated on perfected versions of ourselves, with us living in a filtered culture online, but we can prevent objectification, obsession or depression by nurturing resilient characters that view attractiveness beyond the surface. We can do this by highlighting children’s personality traits— like how funny, smart, strong or creative they are. By focusing on other attributes beyond physical, it empowers them to develop their skills and talents, and to get to know others that way too, beyond how they look. This gives them the tools to value themselves for who they are, not how they look. Alternatively, the easiest place to start is by watching a movie, and discussing the characters not by their looks but by what they are saying and doing, which will then hone that thought process of focusing on one’s personality or actions first, before outward appearances.

Support character development with positive reinforcement Words of affirmation can do wonders for brain and character development. By praising their positive gestures, skills and words, we cultivate an environment that thrives on doing good—no matter how big or small. At home, encourage problem solving, expressing of feelings, and exchanging opinions, while also praising them for attributes like persistence, kindness or newfound strengths after learning a new skill.

Promote health and wellness before weight or vanity Rather than approaching a nutritious meal or exercise from the point of view of losing weight or maintaining a certain body shape, change the narrative by approaching it from the importance of health and wellness. Feeling energised, getting stronger and having fun can have tremendous effects on how comfortable and confident anyone becomes with their body.

Expose your kids to various physical activities to let them explore, discover and sharpen their skills at. Just remember that some children are natural athletes and team players while others love leisurely bike rides with the family; and there are those who might not like the outdoors but fall in love with ballet. The goal is to keep them active, fit and having fun.

Deconstruct negative connotations around the word “fat” This is something we as adults need to relearn ourselves, that “fat” isn’t a bad word.

We need to teach our kids the different and useful definitions of it. Food wise, we need to consume good fats as part of a healthy, balanced diet, and this includes delicious and nutritious produce like salmon, avocados, eggs and every kid’s favourite: Cheese. Body wise, fat has key functions too. It’s an essential source of energy, protects our organs and keeps us warm.

Children should also be taught that muscles weigh more than fat, so one should never focus on the numbers on a scale or BMI but instead, pay attention to how nourished and energised they feel after a good meal, and how strong they’re getting over time.

By parenting coach and trained counsellor, Rany Moran – ranymoran.com

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