Earth Hour: Saturday 31st March 8.30pm

Positive change so often brings with it some kid of sacrifice but please, get behind Earth Hour this Saturday night, wherever you are in the world! We do it every year, and we stumble around in the dark, cursing it every time (and cursing the neighbors who still have their lights blazing). It feels good though and sends our kids a great message to grow up with. And in case you were wondering? Yes. You CAN make a difference. PS Get the kids to play this fun Earth Hour game using the arrow keys on your computer keyboard!

"In 2007, WWF-Australia inspired Sydney-siders to show their support for climate change action in the first ever Earth Hour event. It showed that everyone, from children to CEOs and politicians, has the power to change the world they live in. In Sydney, Australia, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

In 2008, the plan was to take Earth Hour to the rest of Australia. But then the City of Toronto, Canada, signed up and it wasn’t long before 35 countries and almost 400 cities and towns were part of the event. It said something compelling to the world: that the climate challenges facing our planet are so significant that change needs to be global.

With the invitation to ‘switch off’ extended to everyone, Earth Hour quickly became an annual global event. It’s scheduled on the last Saturday of every March – closely coinciding with the equinox to ensure most cities are in darkness as it rolled out around the Earth.

In 2011, Earth Hour saw hundreds of millions of people across 135 countries switch off for an hour. But it also marked the start of something new – going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action on climate change. And with the power of social networks behind the Earth Hour message, we hope to attract even more participation so we can build a truly global community committed to creating a more sustainable planet."

Turn off all your lights this Saturday, 31st March from 8.30pm - 9.30pm.  

11 bookmark-worthy sites I (only) discovered this week

griottes

griottes food
lilya fashion
kemis raw kitchen food 
nest design studio decor/misc
chantelle grady photography/styling
terrace twenty nine misc
fuck your noguchi coffee table decor

earth clinic health

the cooks larder food
the bangalow bungalow misc
eating avalon food

Emails like this make it all worthwhile...

Hi Louise, I'm an avid reader of your blog and usually observe from the sidelines without commenting. After just watching 'Hungry for Change' on your recommendation, I feel compelled write you to thank you, genuinely, for inspiring me and helping me on a path to better health.

As a new mum, to a 4 month old boy, who didn't enjoy pregnancy (to put it mildly), I hadn't felt my usual light, energetic self for some time. I needed to re-focus on my diet and the effect it has on my wellbeing and your blog has opened doors to a wealth of information and change for me. I've always paid attention to your health posts, but felt too 'blah' during pregnancy to commit to anything. I've become a sponge for information on organic, raw, plant based diets and soak up all the information you have offered or referred your readers to. I sincerely thank you. To my delight, I am in pre-pregnancy clothes but more importantly, have the wonderful feeling of lightness back. I feel clean and glowing inside and out. It's taken a hell of a lot of determination and effort to form these new habits, and as I said, particularly so for a new mum who is short on time, but the benefit is tenfold. 

I also soak up your posts of design, beauty and fashion, but the health posts in particular have really struck a chord and had an enormous effect. For that I sincerely thank you. Please continue the excellent work, I am sure I'm not the first or last person you will inspire.

(Name withheld) x

Spotlight on: GDB Architecture (aka MR TONIC!)

Did I ever tell you that Mr Tonic Duxed art at high school? Or that he was the only student to do 4 units of chemistry & physics, 3 unit maths and 3 unit art for his HSC? (It was a combination so rare that the school had trouble nutting out the timetable for his year!) But what resulted was a beautiful marriage of the "science-nerd" half of his brain with the super creative half, making him the perfect candidate for a career in Architecture. In 2000, GDB Architecture Pty Ltd was formed and this 4 bedroom residence on Sydney's Lower North Shore is one of the latest GDB success stories. I asked Graeme Bell (Mr T) to talk us through it. Enjoy! PS Photography by Luc Remond.

"As the original house (a single post World War 2 red brick residence on Sydney’s Lindfield) was in good condition, most of it was retained where possible, as we were working from a fairly tight budget. The red brick base was retained and extended to remain in keeping with the local context where face brick houses are the majority (and an important part of the character of the locality)."

“The owner, although fond of property, had issues with the dark interiors (a result of small windows) and the fact that it only had two bedrooms and a “pokey” living area. Two bedrooms and a bathroom were added in the upper floor extension and the living room on the ground floor was extended towards the magnificent gardens at the front of the house. A new bedroom wing was also added upstairs along with a central circulation "spine". This not only provides access to the second floor, but invites light and ventilation into the existing rooms that connect to it below, via a 2 storey void that wraps around the staircase. The external laundry of the existing house was replaced with a new one with internal access.”

"Both ends of the ground floor existing house were opened up to assist with cross ventilation."

“The house was built in a bush fire prone area which means all the external finishes have to be non combustible or hardwood timber. All new windows and doors are made from hardwood timber.”

“The design principles of shading the house with awnings and the oversized eaves of the main roof control the summer breeze through the house and meant that no air conditioning was required.”

“A combination of glass louvre galleries and oversized windows (more like doors in proportion) enable the house to be opened up in summer. The awnings to the large windows have been designed to allow the rooms be flooded with winter sun.”

“The interiors have been kept simple with white and the natural timbers of the windows, floor and trim.”

"The house has been both sound and thermally insulated to the highest standard and all new light fittings are energy efficient."

“The bathroom uses slate and white tiles that contrast with the richness of the timber veneer vanity (designed by GDB Architecture). A lime splashback adds an element of fun.”

So there you have it - I hope you enjoyed the grand tour! Oh, and here's the before shot:

For alterations, additions or a brand new residence, contact GDB Architecture Pty Ltd gdbarchitecture.com.au

Ph: (02) 9918-3181 or 0416-039-686

CLICK TO SHOP: Multicolour Mexican Suzanis are here!

As of yesterday, we have 3 beautiful new Multicolour Mexican Suzanis ($489) in stock and ready to ship at the Table Tonic online store, so get ready to meet the "girls":
UPDATE - ALL SOLD!

(above) "Fleur" SOLD SOLD SOLD

(above) "Matty" SOLD SOLD SOLD

(above) "Anja" SOLD SOLD SOLD

(above) One of our lovely Table Tonic customers recently emailed us their King Size Table Tonic Suzani bedspread transformation. So clever (click for all the details)! I had another customer purchase one yesterday - she plans to have a lampshade covered with her multicolour suzani and use the remainder to make a single bedspread for her son's room. Going to look amazing. PS Don't forget to contact me if you have any questions!

My right-now faves: 9 things I want you to know about

My new favourite wine: Logan 2011 Hannah Rose, out of Orange, NSW. Just beautiful. And would you look at the label! Glorious all over the place.

My new favourite beauty buy: Grown anything. Think luxurious organic skincare. And think "grown not manufactured". Really gorgeous products and the Vanilla and Orange Peel hand cream is to DIE for, just quietly. Shop online here.

My new favourite hair finisher-off-er-er: Speaking of clean beauty buys, now that my hair is longer, Frizzy Logic (click to buy) has replaced Surf Bomb Sea Salt Spray (click to buy) as my Original Mineral post-blow-dry helper of choice. Makes it a bit shiny and piece-y and conditioned looking. PS Only on the ends, girls!

My new favourite read: I can't get enough of WellBeing magazine right now. Just brilliant. Oh, and same deal for figs. Obviously.

My new favourite mag: Looks like I need to subscribe to (UK) Living etc. Oh brother. It's goooood. Huge thanks to TT reader Kathy for sending me this copy!

(below) And look what she pointed out to me inside - A very Table Tonic inspired kid's room! Get the look with these Ikat cushions and these Mexican bedspreads!

My new favourite mag cover: Aussie VOGUE (bit late, I know). No words.

My new favourite carb: Weeeee! It's nearly Easter! And PS THANK YOU COLES FOR MAKING A RAISIN (ugh!) FREE HOT CROSS BUN. Amen to that.

In other news, I am currently listening to Lana Del Ray's album "Born to Die" like there's no tomorrow. Wow. Go have a listen on iTunes or You Tube. It's moody and sexy and beautiful. Audio crack. Happy Tuesday Tonic-ettes.

Hungry for Change: FREE worldwide online premiere

If you haven't already watched it, the brand new (and brilliant) Hungry For Change documentary is out now and free in its entireity for another 5 days. Click on over and register here (in the side bar) for INSTANT access to the full length film. I watched it over a day or two, stopping and starting when it suited me. Watch the trailer now and see for yourself! It's compulsive (and life-changing viewing!):



PS You may remember this blog post I did on the amazing "Food Matters" film last October? Same people.

Cool healthy blog alert: Move, Nourish, Believe.

You know Lorna Jane (the people who make cool workout clothes)? Well they have a blog called Move, Nourish, Believe and I have a feeling you're going to want to bookmark it rightnow. Pick up healthy tips and tricks, watch a video, join a discussion in the forum or simply scroll through oodles of inspirational images on their "inspiration board". I've included a few of my faves below:

 

Click to visit Move, Nourish, Believe.

DIY of the day: Budget bottle makeover

Martha Stewart eat your heart out. This week, I came over all crafty and thrifty after Gourmet Girlfriend, who has five (FIVE) beautiful sons, put me onto a little secret...

Simply wash/soak the label off a few small Santa Vittoria bottles (I scrubbed mine off under a hot tap in about 3 minutes), find yourself some fun retro straws and get sippy! I found these fun paper straws in a local homewares-y shop, and recently bought these red ones online! I refill the bottles with cordial each night and pop them on the dinner table. They look super cute and the kids love them! PS I also bought this gorgeous glass straw for my green smoothies/juices. (What's a green juice you say? Find out here...)

So, a few days pass and I'm feeling a little unstoppable. I innocently wash a tomato passata bottle, scrub the label off, chuck some ice in, a few limes... You see where I'm going?

A few of these on a Sunday lunch table would look fabbo as a cheap (just $2.49!) alternative to your regular drinks bottle/jug. Woohoo! Happy upcycling Tonic-ettes!