Squee! Starting uni (again) today!

It's been ten years since I began my social work degree at RMIT Uni in the heart of Melbourne City. Back then I had a super cute and very hip little hard pink case for my selection of rainbow floppy disks and during my four year degree the changeover to usb sticks happened. I remember feeling a little sad to give up my cute little (big) disks and felt nervous that I would always be losing my tiny device, having to make a mad dash back to the building 8 computer lab to rescue it from the big clunky black IBM PCs. 

As I type today I am sitting in a cafe and have just connected to the RMIT wireless network on my iPad. I didn't need to book a computer in the Library and stand around waiting for one to become available. I didn't need to pay $1 for five minutes in an internet cafe. I just sat down in a cafe on the lower level of the sparkly new Swanton Street building and joined the network with ease. Pretty sure a lot of my assignments will be done right here and who knows, maybe something publishable?

I know that wifi has been around for a while. I'm no tech-novice. But it has just struck me this morning how much things have changed in the last ten years.

In 2003 when I first stepped into this wonderful university I was 18 and thought I knew everything. I was super wise... really I was.. all you needed to do was ask me. Today, ten years older I come to this course fully at peace with the knowledge that I don't know a fecking thing. And that's a-ok with me.

Here's to new adventures, taking risks and making your dreams come true. 

Peace gorgeous.

Accidental resolution :: No more bad shoes!

This year I have accidentally made a couple of new years resolutions. I really didn't mean to as I actually don't believe in them, but this year a few general resolutions happened to be made at the beginning of the year.

One is to de-clutter. Moving house has seen to it that I cull ALL the crap, and I've been inspired by the delightfully junk-free spaces on The Design Files and by watching Gourmet Girlfriend's bright and wonderful renovation unfold on Instagram. I'm sure I'll share more about this process in time (if you're interested!) I know Smaggle is doing a crap-clearing/organising series right now if you're keen.

My second accidental resolution has been to get rid of all the shoes that are bad for my feet and gradually replace them with shoes that meet the following requirements:

1. They must be ethically made or second hand
2. They must be good for my feet and body
3. I must love them

I have completed the first step. All the bad shoes are gone. I am now adding to my shoe-drobe and have been fortunate enough to have been gifted a pair of second hand Birkenstock brown felt Mary-Jane's from Taz at Christmas time and I am in LOVE with them. I also found another pair of brown suede Birk sandals with a great ankle strap yesterday for $10 from the local oppy.

I have wanted to try Swedish clogs for some time as I have quite a few friends that rave about them so I started investigating a few different types. Lots of my pals have invested in a pair (or several) of Funkis. You can find information on the ethics of Funkis HERE. They seem to have their bases covered with the timber used being from sustainable sources and they have their factories based in Australia and Sweden, thus ensuring good working conditions and fair pay.

My investigations took me to the Swedish Hasbeens site where I found that Hasbeens are another shoe made responsibly by people, not machines however the price tag was a little bit too high for me so after a recommendation from a friend I ordered a pair of clogs from Lotta from Stockholm. I couldn't find any information on their website about the ethics however, after a bit of searching I found another review of Lotta clogs with the information I was after! Seeds and Stitches did the investigating for me and found out that it is a small husband and wife duo and clogs are made "by three other family businesses all based in the EU, the vast majority in Sweden itself, and all the clog materials are also sourced from within the EU from carefully managed sources" (quote from Seeds and Stitches). The only down side is the leather is not recycled however, along my ethical path I have realised that it is very difficult to find a 100% ethical garment/item- this is something also mentioned on the Seeds and Stitches blog and I agree that some flexibility is important, especially if a business is trying to do the right things across multiple areas.

I really love my Lotta from Stockholm clogs!* I purchased this really great silver pair and I am currently saving up to buy another pair with a lower heel for days when I'm on my feet a lot. 

This also fits in with Pip's "A year of ethical fashion" thing that she's got going on over at Meet me at Mike's- why don't you pop over HERE and check it out.

*I am not being paid to review Lotta clogs... I just love them

Christmas decorations :: Explore Etsy!

By Field Guide Design :: Get yours HERE

Aren't these folded paper polyhedron decorations just the nicey-nicest? They come pre-cut and flat in a pack of 8 and you make them using only your mad DIY skills... and raw talent... and some double sided tape. BEST!! Good stuff Field Guide Design.. props to you.

Blog With Pip :: An online course I'm doing

Well hello there!

I am currently having my mind blown by the wonderfulness that is the Blog With Pip online course being run by the lovely Ms. Pip Lincolne, of Meet Me at Mikes fame.

Lily Mae Martin :: Artist :: Beyond SQUEE!

Georgia :: Lily Mae Martin

Lily Mae Martin is one of the most talented artists that I have ever met. Her work is simply breathtaking. I actually have a physical reaction to it. Maybe that's due to the very personal and truthful depictions of real people, or maybe it's because it's just bloody unreal and so so beautiful. She clearly has amazing talent but what has struck me in conversation with Lily is that she works so hard at her craft and invests fully in the process. I cannot imagine being so dedicated to something but as Lily would attest, she can't NOT make art. 

I had a chat with Lily Mae a couple of days ago and she very generously answered a few questions for The Squee. After reading this and viewing some of her pictures I am sure you'll agree that Lily May is worthy of a super squeaky SQUEE.

Quick Squee

I've fallen very hard for www.canva.com and www.picmonkey.com

I have stayed up too late because this free graphics software is just too great.

That is all