september 2011
1 Tea and a biccie with... Owl Eyes 2 Crumbs 4 Debate: Should punishment for child offenders be increased? 6 Introducing... Aunty Cookie 8 Here Comes The Sun 10 What Do You Do For a Crust? 12 Things My Dad Taught Me... 14 Featured Artisy: Sandy Gaskett 18 Fashion: Spring Picnic 24 Style Spotters 26 Music: The Living End 28 Food 30 Travel: Packing for the Modern Traveller 32 Crafty Folk: The Gently Unfurling Sneak 34 [Back Away]
on the cover Photographer: Vincent Long Model: Anna Furze @ Mark Fitzgerald Management Stylist: Anthony Jarvis Hair & Makeup: Alana Armaz
Editor Jil Hogan Creative Director / Co-Editor Sarah Robertson Web Design Rowan Hogan Layout and Graphic Design Jodi Hoffman, Jil Hogan Photography Sarah Robertson,Vincent Long Pauline Skewes Contributors Kade Morton, Chau Tran, Emma MacKenzie Beth MacKenzie Advertising & Marketing advertise@biscuitmagazine.com.au www.biscuitmagazine.com.au biscuit magazine is free and issued monthly. Email contact@biscuit magazine.com.au. ABN 33 407 496 992. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the copyright holder.
tea & a biccie
Owl Eyes is touring the country throughout August and September, as well as slots at Big Sound, Fat As Butter, Stonefest and Pyramid Rock Festival. For a full list of dates, visit facebook.com/ThisIsOwlEyes
I am Brooke Addamo AKA Owl Eyes and I make music. I grew up in Perth and then moved to Melbourne.
When I was younger, all I wanted to be when I grew up was a violin player or work with animals. I realised I wanted to be a singer when I was about 12 years old.
When I’m on stage I try to communicate the emotions of the song as best as I can. My favourite song to play live is Raiders.
The first Dog I ever owned was named Bonnie.
If I had to eat only one thing for the rest of my life it would be chocolate.
Something I hate more than anything else in the world is people who are rude to you for no reason. If someone went through my notepad right now they would find a lot of random words. You will rarely catch me watching sports.
My professional highlight so far has been the Darwin Deez tour and having my songs played on the radio. When I’m away I always call home.
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crumbs
INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY Arr me hearties – hoist the main sail and take a swig of rum for International Talk Like A Pirate Day. On September 19th, swagger into work and drop your best pirate lingo on your unsuspecting buccaneers. If you are in need of some inspiration, click here for an English to Pirate translator. If commas, apostrophes and semi colons are more your thing, mark Punctuation Day on 24th September in your diary, and celebrate the fact that you’re able to tell your yours from your you’res.
pimp your iphone There’s nothing more depressing than the day the new version of an iPhone is released, and you’re staring down the remaining 15 months on your phone contract. Not to mention that giant crack down your screen. Make your phone seem new again with Gelaskins–removable covers for protecting and customizing your device. Browse contemporary artwork from more than a hundred artists, or upload your own. Available for a large range of smart phones, mp3 players, laptops and tablets. And even better, they’re cheap as chips, so you can get different covers to suit your mood. Visit www.gelaskins.com
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SEPTEMBER 2011
STEVE JOBS: The Book Even right down to his speech announcing his resignation as Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs has rarely given much of an insight into his life and his journey turning Apple into the digital powerhouse that it is today. Hitting stores in November, Steve Jobs: A Biography is his first and only biography, written by Walter Isaacson, and is said to delve into every gory detail. The book can be pre-ordered now on www.amazon.com.
Ben Salter is touring the country in September - visit www.bensalter.com.au for dates. His debut album, The Cat, is out now.
TRIPLE J UNEARTHED
We chat with Ben Salter…
Triple J has changed the face of Aussie music with the announcement of their new radio station–Triple J Unearthed. Originally starting as a band competition in the 90s, Triple J Unearthed has provided an online presence for independent artists across the country, and is to thank for uncovering the likes of Grinspoon, Boy and Bear, Gypsy and The Cat, The Jezabels, The Middle East, Washington, Philadelphia Grand Jury and Art Vs Science. So if you’re a musician and haven’t already registered, upload your music at triplejunearthed.com and get your tunes playing on radios across the nation. The station will kick off with a series of free, simultaneous parties on October 5th in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth! Visit abc.net.au/triplej/unearthed for more info.
Singer/Songwriter Ben Salter lets us in on what he’s listening to at the moment… I don’t listen to much new stuff to be honest – I am pretty slack. But a friend of mine Chris Moller put me onto Lost Animal, which is the new project from Jarrod Quarrell, formerly of St. Helens. Absolutely amazing electro soul music, gives me shivers. The track ‘Lose The Baby’ is my current favourite. Deeply melancholic but also makes you want to smash stuff. I love it. He’s playing with me in Melbourne – I can’t wait. My friends HITS from Brisbane are the best rock’n’roll band in Australia, possibly the world. Their new songs are incredible but I can’t go past ‘Sometimes You Just Don’t Know Who Your Friends Are’ from their debut, S/T LP. What else? Anything off ‘Spirit of Eden’ or ‘Laughing Stock’ by Talk Talk. ‘Lotus Flower’ by Radiohead just gets better every time I listen to it, absolutely incredible. They are untouchable as far as I am concerned. Lastly, Charles Mingus. Have been focussing on ‘The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady’ recently but “Blues & Roots” is also incredible.
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debate
Should punishment for child offenders be increased?
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SEPTEMBER 2011
Yes
No
by Jil Hogan
by Kade Morton
Remember that time when you were three and you thought it might be a good idea to stick a fork into a power point? And remember what your Dad did the second he found you, fork poised? There were kids in Kenya who heard him that day as he unleashed his fearfuelled rage on you. And as you cowered in terror not entirely sure what was going on, you swore you would never, ever do it again. My point? You never did it again.
Most experts would agree that punishment in the criminal justice system serves at least two functions; retribution and deterrent. It’s argued though that punishment doesn’t always serve as an effective deterrent, and incarceration, the form serious punishment takes in Australia, serves these purposes as well as incapacitating the offender.
I understand that harsher punishments aren’t necessarily a deterrent to crime, and I agree that merely increasing punishments can cause negative impacts, but there are many young offenders who walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist, and that doesn't help anybody. In many cases, young offenders have grown up in environments with lack of structure and discipline. Their first taste of the criminal justice system shouldn’t reinforce this, but instead lay the groundwork that hadn’t been put in place before. Harsher punishments doesn’t necessarily mean throwing kids into cells with adult rapists and killers, and any punishment should incorporate intensive rehabilitation and education, heavily focusing on their reintegration into society. But for a start, their name should be published in the media. Particularly in the case of more severe crimes, society has a right to that knowledge. In Australia we already have safeguards in place such as Children’s Courts and Juvenile Detention Centres to ensure that the offender is taken through a less intimidating system that they can understand. But they should not be under the impression their crime was any less severe than that of their adult counterparts. Times are changing, and children are growing up faster and faster. There are reports of children as young as five or six taking illicit drugs – what kind of message are we sending them if no action can be taken? Letting kids walk away with a slap on the wrist can surely give them the impression that they’re bulletproof and can get away with whatever they want, which is just as sure to breed future criminals.
But it is widely agreed to do very little to rehabilitate past offenders. Due to these reasons I don’t believe punishment for child offenders should be increased. Why doesn’t punishment serve as an effective deterrent? Well it often does. People don’t commit crime because they don’t want to be punished, but in the heat of the moment someone may not think through the consequences of their actions. If the thought of punishment doesn’t occur to the possible offender at the time, it’s not going to provide any form of deterrent. Incarcerating someone and cutting them off from society also makes them ill equipped to function in society at the end of their incarceration. Subjecting child offenders to the problems of incarceration without trying to offset them because we think it will prevent them committing crime when it won’t in all cases doesn’t make sense and is only going to have negative implications on the rest of the child’s life. So what do we do in the case of child offenders? Routine activity theory, a criminological theory proposed by Marcus Felson and Lawrence E. Cohen states that for crime to occur, three factors are required: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the lack of a capable guardian. To prevent children committing crime we need to look at what is motivating them to commit crime, how can we proof their target against crime, and pertinent to the case of child offenders, we need to look at why capable guardians are absent.
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SEPTEMBER 2011
introducing...
Shannon Lamden from Aunty Cookie
AUNTY COOKIE How long have you been “Aunty Cookie”? Aunty Cookie is a crafty little label I created about six years ago. What started with illustrations quickly grew to screen printed fabrics, limited edition cute stuff, cushions, patterns, kits and craft panels. My products are available online as well as through retailers Australia-wide and overseas. My aim is to create fresh and graphic wares with a sense of humour–all handmade and totally not precious. Why the name? My Mother’s nickname is Cookie and it’s just something that’s been stuck in my head. I like that it’s kind of ‘kiddy’ and not too serious. What inspires you? My design influences come from everywhere! Blogs, Blogs and more blogs, walking about my neighborhood, flicking through kids’ books at the library, getting lost in people’s photographs on flickr.com, loitering in the newsagent. I am endlessly inspired by real life, crafty mates, handmade wares, music and TV, stupid conversations–anything! I lean towards the graphic and typography so I’m attracted to signage and text-based artwork. I’m not a ‘take a walk in nature and collect leaves’ type of gal… I flick through a lot of craft & design blogs daily so I have instant access to new trends, colours and products from around the world. I would say that a small part of each of my fabrics designs and products are influenced by web trawling. How does one go about designing and making handmade textiles? I feel like I am a little anti-design process! If I can’t resolve my design in an hour–a day at the most–I ditch it. It’s either working or it’s not and if I can’t make it work I move on. I think that has to do with the small amounts of time I have to work and my impatience. Very rarely do I sketch up a pattern.
Maybe I have some motifs scribbled here or there but I sit at the computer and draw. If I like it–I make it into the repeat pattern. I only play with colour once I am certain that the design is working, and even then I’m a one colour print girl. All my patterns are designed in Illustrator. I source my own base fabrics and work with local screen printers for both my yardage designs and handprinted homewards. All of my wares are printed by hand in environmentally friendly inks. What sort of things do you ask people before you design something for them? I ask them what they like, what colours they are into, who they are targeting their products at, what their price points are, who they admire–I try and work out what they want before I even start to draw or hit the computer. What are your favourite things to make? Most definitely drawings. I love being able to just sit and quietly draw–with three kids this isn’t very often. So when I do it’s really relaxing. I like making funny little people with odd personalities. Can people suggest ideas for design if they want something particular? For commissioned portraits it’s all about you! I get the info and draw you up–your family, your dog, your Great Aunt Harriet with the whiskey problems… How much of your time do you designate to being Aunty Cookie? About 78% of my day, between dropping kids off, picking them up, keeping the house nice and trying to keep everyone fed. Visit www.auntycookie.com
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By Emma MacKenzie
HERE COMES THE SUN Hola Spring! Rejoice for florals, fresh air, fashion and festivals. Thus far, we have had Splendour in the Grass (and did we ever, wink). And now those sweaty Spring and eventually Summer nights are on the horizon. Don’t deny it. We’ve all experienced the horrendous day after. You wake to filthy clothes, aching headache, and questions such as “how did I get that cut?” I am now older, wiser, a festival veteran and therefore have advice to give. Whatever state you are in or intend to venture to this is your essential guide to the music festival season. So sit down and take note.
Shirts on gentlemen! es! We are For the love of Jesus, shir ts on at all tim friends and all trying to enjoy the festival with our g against us. don’t enjoy your sweaty chest thrashin We smell We are ladies, and clean ones at that. Unless you like flowers and unicorns. So shir ts on. st. are Ryan Reynolds, in which case I insi
Actually take your ticket I have a dear friend, who of ten fails to do this (you know who you are). It has irrita ting consequences for all involved.
Don’t waste the day away You have handed over zillions of hard earned dollars so don’t waste it. Figure out what you want to see and where you need to go.
The sunshine state
Photos: Emma MacKenzie & Sarah Robertson
The fun of living on this grand island is that the weather is a little erratic. One second you feel as if you will actually die from the heat, the next you are in torrential rain. So take something to cover you and thank me when you don’t look like a drowned rat.
Safety first have fun. Ever yone is there to ds and agree Look out for your frien if you get lost. on an area to reunite one. Alas, Always charge your ph the af fects I recently experienced . Funny of forget ting to charge 30 00 0, it’s a enough in a crowd of friends. challenge to find your
Get cash out first Avoid the hour-long line and atrocious fees.
And finally…thou shalt resist the trash XX Shorts that show your entire rear generally aren’t a good look. XX If you are going to go the fake tan route, invest in a good one XX Don’t wear white. Very dirty and extremely awkward for you if it rains.
XX Ladies, channel your inner Kate Moss, I dare you. Refer to Biscuit’s ‘Splend our Special’ in Issue 11 for fashion hints. XX Boys and girls take this advice, try to remember it when intoxicated, frolic in the summer sun and embrace the festival season with open arms. It’s going to be a hot one… www.biscuitmagazine.com.au
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what do you do for a crust?
When I grew up, I always wanted to be… I was asked this question by my teacher when I was a young boy on a bright sunny day at school. So I stood up in front of the whole classroom and with the strongest voice I could muster up I burst out with a high pitched scream, "I want to be a helper for the world". The teacher turned to me and said, "What do you mean?" I said, “I want to make the world just that little bit better”. My job now is… I have been a performer for a number of years now; playing a number of different characters including a monkey, a butler, and a teddy bear. I do this for mainly birthday parties and those special occasions that bring joy to people’s lives.
I got into this field… Well, I was never very good at anything at school except for being silly and being the class clown. So one day I thought why not do this as a job? I phoned around and found an agency that was willing to take the time to show me the ropes. I quickly learnt that it wasn't just all fun and games, but hard work. A typical day/night for me entails… Preparation is the key to any good performance. So, learning the script, getting your props ready such as balloons, cards etc. and then getting yourself pumped up to burst out in front of a noisy crowd of people. I have to gain their attention and conduct them through the whole performance.
The highlight of my career so far has been… When a 69-year-old woman flashed her boobs at me because she thought that I was a stripper. My favourite thing about my job is… Definitely the reaction from people when I burst out from behind a door. Sometimes they are embarrassed or sing along. I’ve had one person run away, some laugh and even cry. My least favourite thing is… Avoid a dead crowd. That’s when you do your act and you get not a sound out of them–they just sit there and stare at you. Luckily that does not happen often. If you want to get into this field you should… Not be embarrassed of making a fool of yourself and apply with an agency..
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SEPTEMBER 2011
GORILLA GRAM Drew Night
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things my dad taught me
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SEPTEMBER 2011 SEPTEMBER 2011
By Jil Hogan
In terms of parental duties, Dads tend to get the short end of the stick. While Mums often get all of the hugs and are the ones who can fix you when nothing else can, Dads tend to only be called upon when something breaks or a moth/spider/ grasshopper has stumbled into the house. My Dad has taught me a lot of normal Dad things – how to ride a bike, how to put petrol in a car and how to connect a DVD player to a TV – but there are a lot of other less obvious pearls of wisdom that I’ve been able to take from him. Eat up before it gets cold… Not only has this bit of advice ensured I’ve always enjoyed my meal at optimum temperature when dining at restaurants that are physically incapable of delivering all meals to a table during the same light year as each other, but has also potentially saved me multiple cases of salmonella. Never take your eye off the ball… Not many footy matches pass by without my Dad frustratingly exclaiming at the TV, ‘he took his eye off the ball!’ As well as a handy sporting analogy, it’s also been something important I’ve kept in mind when things get tough, and I never lose focus of what’s really important in life. Relax during turbulence… Depite the fact that I’ve gathered 27 countries under my belt and travel interstate fairly often to visit my family, I’m terrified of flying. Dad once let me in on a little secret – if you relax during turbulence it doesn’t feel anywhere near as bad. Despite the oxymoron of relaxing while flying, it actually makes the bumps far less harsh. Or if all else fails, just ask the lovely flight attendant for another bottle of sauv blanc.
Always bring thongs… On top of being handy beach footwear and proving useful in public shower situations, Dad has taught me that the humble thong is in fact a deadly weapon. From moths, to huntsmen, to species that haven’t yet quite been identified by scientists – there’s nothing that a combination of a thong and a bit of bug spray can’t defeat. The amount of bloodbath Dad’s pair of thongs has seen in its lifetime could earn it more than a few life sentences. There’s a proper way to walk through a metal detector… Dad once taught me that when you go through the metal detector at an airport, walk through using a long stride. This minimises the amount of metal passing through the force field at any one time, and decreasing the chance that all of the metal that you inevitably wear on a daily basis will set it off. A pearl of wisdom only an engineer and frequent business traveller looking to avoiding taking their shoes/ belt/pants off at security would know. You can achieve anything… Dad worked very hard growing up to get to where he is today, and I know he worked very hard to raise me and my brother the way that we were. When he was a kid he didn’t have half of the things that I did, and I’ve never taken that for granted. Although he’s never said it to me in as many words, I learnt very early on that the only way to get anywhere is through hard work. And I know that no matter how crazy my venture is – and trust me there have been a few crazy ones –he’ll always support me. Father’s Day is the one time in the year to stop and appreciate the things your Dad has taught you – no matter how quirky or insignificant they may seem. And Dad, even though I won’t be in the same state as you this Father’s Day, know that I’m much more well-equipped for the world thanks to you. Happy Father’s Day!
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Polly Jean – Digital
Sandy Gaskett 14
SEPTEMBER 2011
Australia Day Vibes– Acrylic on paper
featured artist
Ash it – Acrylic & pastel on paper
Follow the Raven–Acrylics & Collage
Planet Zoinhex88 – Acrylic on paper
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Sandy Gaskett
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SEPTEMBER 2011
featured artist
Glyde Mobile Acrylic on wood panel
Western Australian Artist, Sandy Gaskett has dabbled in creating artworks since she can remember. It wasn't until she sold her first painting, ‘Ash It’, that she realised being an artist could be more than just a hobby. Sandy loves to work with acrylics, inks, water colours and of late a digital WACOM tablet. She is inspired by colour, humour, B-grade TV shows, comics and vintage fashion magazines. For more of her work visit www.gasbombgirl.com
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SPRING PICNIC Photographer Vincent Long www.vincentlong.com Models Jessica Vanek @ Scene Models Anna Furze @ Mark Fitzgerald Management Stylist Anthony Jarvis www.anthonyjarvis.com.au Hair and Makeup Alana Armao
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SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER2011 2011
fashion
Boogi ‘Bamboo Tee’ (Lupa) $84, Alexi Freeman Pink Mesh Singlet (Lupa) $84, Boogi Clay Full Skirt (Lupa) $200, ‘Agua” Dress (Cottage Industry) $300. Opposite: Patchwork Skirt (Cottage Industry) $210, ‘Sophie’ Smock Blouse (Cottage Industry) $200, Vintage Tea Towel Cushion (Cottage Industry) $60, Boogi ‘Haymes’ Tee (Lupa) $25 www.biscuitmagazine.com.au
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Caliope Dress (Since Grey) $265 (foreground), Lemonade Shirt (Since Grey) $235, Pigeon Floppy Hat (Little Salon) $69. Opposite: White Carnival Dress (Since Grey) $385.
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SEPTEMBER 2011
fashion
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‘Flippant’ Flare Pant (Bobbins n Bliss) $95 (“Muffin the Cat”)
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SEPTEMBER 2011
fashion
SUPPLIER DETAILS
(All garments are locally designed and made in Melbourne.) Lupa www.lupa.com.au 55 High Street, Northcote, 3070 03-9481 1614 Cottage Industry www.misspenpen.blogspot.com 67 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 3065 03-9419 2430 Since Grey www.sincegrey.com 122 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, 3065 03-9416 0458 Bobbins n Bliss www.bobbinsnbliss.blogspot.com 397a Nepean Highway, Chelsea, 3196 0400 077 952
Lemonade Shirt (Since Grey) $235
Little Salon www.littlesalon.com.au 71 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy,3065 03-9419 7123 Tokyo Bike www.tokyobike.com.au 5 Peel Street, Collingwood, 3066 03-9417 2845
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style spotters
Kieran
Jeans: NEUW, Top: Stussy, Shirt: Bonds, Shoes: Vintage Oxford Shoes
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SEPTEMBER 2011
Captured by Pauline Skewes
Grahame
Jeans: Lee, Shirt: Arvust, Shoes: DR. MartEns
splendour special!
Carrie
Dress: Milk and Honey, Crochet Vest: Milk and Honey, Flop Hat: Tree Of Life Shoes: Dr. Martens
Aimee
Dress: Wrangler, Cardigan: Lulu and Rose, Shoes: Jay Jays, Glasses: Le Specs
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The Living End
By Jil Hogan
Redcoats EP Review by Sarah Robertson The Melbourne-based, fourman-band are rocking the socks off Australian airwaves at the moment, as Triple J gives their single “Dreamshaker” some serious airplay. But what of the rest of their EP? The debut EP, which was released on July 29th, contains five tracks which meld together perfectly in order to make the CD one of those ones that you can listen to from beginning to end, without having to skip to the good bits. Tracks, ‘Giants’ and ‘Lions, Tigers & Bears (Oh My)’ display a firm understanding of all that is rock. This EP is definitely worth listening to if you like Rock’n’Roll! Redcoats’ EP is available now on iTunes.
As far as years go, The Living End are having a pretty good one. After claiming number four in Triple J’s Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time with their debut self-titled record, the band released their sixth album, 'The Ending Is Just The Beginning Repeating', in July to rave reviews.
Then there was the announcement of their national tour, which saw gigs in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne selling out and forcing second shows. But surely none of this fazes them anymore? “I think we probably put more pressure on ourselves for this record than we ever have before. It was a bit of a tough one,” says the band’s bassist, Scott Owen. “With each album as we get older we
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feel like an even bigger mountain to climb each time we do it. But it’s just all the more rewarding when you get there! “
The band recently played at Splendour In The Grass, which Owen describes as, ‘a favourite amongst the band as far as festivals go’, and it was one of their first opportunities to test out their new material on their droves of fans. “It’s always a bit of a nerve-wracking period for us having finished recording and then the album coming out – we always feel a little bit of anticipation and a bit of nervous energy,” says Owen. “But I noticed when we played Splendour, the new songs are getting a really great reaction already, so that’s a good sign. It makes us all feel really
positive about it.” Renowned as one of the country’s most energetic live acts, it’s no surprise that their live show is a factor when choosing which tracks to put on their albums. “That’s the only sort of rule we put on ourselves when we’re picking the songs we’re going to put on the album we want to make sure that we’re going to enjoy playing it live,” says Owen. “I think that’s sort of what ties us down to being what we are or what our identity is as a band on our records.” While some of their albums feature slower tracks, it’s not often that you hear them at their live gigs. “We just know that we’re not going to enjoy playing them live. When we’re on stage we’re just gonna want to lay it down as hard as we possibly can and get the real rush out of playing on the edge of losing it,” says Owen. While the band have clocked up countless miles touring over the years, it’s been a few years since they’ve been on the road and Owen says they’re looking forward to getting back into it.
“We love traveling and we love being up on stage every night. It’s really good for the band to be playing gigs.” “I mean you can get into the rehearsal room every day but it’s not the same as being up on stage where you can’t stop halfway through a song and go, “no hang on a minute – let’s work on that bit” – you’ve just gotta plough on through.” And even though Owen says the appeal of touring hasn’t worn thin, the band take a bit of a different approach these days. “We’ve all got families and that sort of stuff so we just try and keep it to a sensible amount now,” he says. “We used to do crazy long tours, years and years ago, and sort of go away for months on end and just string one tour onto the back of the previous one and keep going, with no real plan to come home. But now we’re a little bit more conservative and we just go do a tour here and there and balance it out a bit.” The Living End are currently touring the country and play at Fat As Butter in Newcastle on Saturday 22nd October. For a full list of dates, visit www.thelivingend.com.
SON BY SAR AH ROBERT
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SEPTEMBER 2011
sips & nibbles
Satay Chicken, Pumpkin & Fetta Pizza
What to do: • Toss pumpkin in olive oil, salt and pepper and put into a preheated oven of 180°c and cook for twenty minutes or until cooked through. • In a small saucepan, add olive oil and garlic and heat until fragrant. Add dried basil, tomato paste and some warm water to the mixture. What you need: 3 x satay chicken skewers from your Deli counter (remove meat from skewer) 50g fetta – cubed 100g button mushrooms – sliced 100g tomato paste Glass of warm water 2 x large brown onions – sliced ½ butternut pumpkin – cubed 1 avocado – cubed 250g cheddar cheese – grated 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp crushed garlic 1 handful fresh basil leaves – torn ½ tsp sugar (plus extra pinch for onions) 1 tbsp butter 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar Salt and pepper to taste 250g baby spinach leaves 2 x rectangular pizza bases (approx 30cm in length) 1tbsp olive oil (plus extra to drizzle on spinach & cook)
• Stir on low heat for 3mins before adding the fresh basil, sugar, salt and pepper to taste. • Allow mixture to thicken on a low heat and then remove from stove. • Heat olive oil in a medium frying pan and cook chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat. • Heat 1tsp olive oil and butter to a medium sized saucepan. • Add onions, balsamic vinegar, pinch sugar, salt and pepper to taste and cook until the onions become transparent. • Once the onions become to caramelise at the edges, remove from heat. • Using the back of a spoon, spread tomato sauce mixture onto both pizza bases. • Sprinkle some grated cheddar down before placing onions atop. • Arrange chicken, pumpkin, mushrooms, avocado and fetta on both bases and then cover with more grated cheddar. • Cook pizzas in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until browned. • Serve with baby spinach which has lightly been tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper.
By Beth MacKenzie
Not that long ago, clothes and toiletries were the only items that ended up in the suitcase. Today, everything but the kitchen sink seems to make its way in. With so many options, how do you decide what to take and what to leave behind? Your phone is your bible: worship it My iPhone is without a doubt my technological bible. I don’t go anywhere without it when I’m home so why should it be any different when I’m thousands of miles away? It holds everything and you can really hone in on its features when travelling. Create lists of everything you’ve packed so you don’t forget anything; store all the contact details you need – family, friends, hotels, airlines, emergency numbers; download apps which will help with every aspect of your trip and the media options are endless – games, books, movies, music … the iPhone is the ultimate modern travel companion. Just don’t forget the charger! My top 5 iPhone travel apps • Skype: stay in touch with family and friends while abroad [free] • Lonely Planet City Companion from Visa: navigate your way through the top cities in the world including London, New York and Paris [free // only for Visa card holders]
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• Instagram: a fun app to capture and share photos with others [free] • Angry Birds: the game to play while waiting around [$1.19 // free lite version available] • Packing (+TO DO!): the perfect app to help you with packing [$1.19]
use it, so take it. Would you pack your camera and not take any photos? No. Chances are, you’ll regret it if you leave it at home. Live by this rule and you’ll never miss that perfect holiday moment ever again. You’re packed. Now what?
Space Invaders While I won’t dispute the feeling you get sitting next to the pool in the sun with a good novel, they can take up a fair bit of room in your suitcase, especially if you take more than one. With airlines continuing to restrict weight allowances, e-books are becoming a more practical means of reading material for travel. The best part about e-books is that you can get books for up to half the price of what you would pay in store and a lot of the classics, like Emma and Pride & Prejudice, are absolutely free! Lonely Planet also sells most of their travel and city guides as e-books so you can have all the travel advice you need at the touch of a button. With all the extra money, why not spend it on a cocktail (or two) to enjoy by the pool while reading from your Kindle or iPad? To take or not to take? Just as we have the “pack and then take half out” rule, when it comes to technology I have my own rule - you’ll
If you’re anything like me, your bag at this point will be as full as it can be without the zipper breaking. However, no matter how full the suitcase is, I will always have these two essentials. 1. Travel adaptor: with all this technology, the batteries will eventually run flat and you’ll need something to charge them with. Invest in an Australian/Worldwide adapter, especially if you’re a frequent traveller. 2. Ziploc bags: they keep liquids from spilling into everything and they’re inexpensive space bags for your clothes. That spare space will come in handy when you have souvenirs to bring home. With technology being such a huge part of our lives, whether at home or overseas, there are very few times when we’re unreachable. That said my biggest tip would be to switch off. I love the time I get on the plane where no one (except the air host/hostess) can disrupt me. Sit back, relax and unwind. For those few hours, that time is all your own. Enjoy it.
travel
We chat to Anika Cook from The Gently Unfurling Sneak...
the gently unfurling Sneak Tell us a bit about your background – what led you to do what you do? I was one of those kids who always changed their mind about what they wanted to do. At various times I was going to be a gymnast, a writer, a marine biologist, a filmmaker, and then a photographer. Eventually I did a Bachelor of Creative Arts at Melbourne Uni, which started me on a path of collage and vintage illustration and reinforced my existing love for all things papery and bookish. It also ensured that I wasn't qualified for any 'real' jobs! During university I taught myself screen printing and started selling some T-shirts at markets to pay for the equipment I'd bought, not thinking much of it at the time. After I finished study I thought I might keep on going with my little business, mainly because I'd landed a job at an IT Helpdesk and was desperately looking for a way to leave it, and here I am five years later still pressing on! Tell us about what you create: I make prints, paper cuts, accessories
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and clothes that feature my illustrations and designs. They're a little whimsical, hopefully amusing, and very much inspired by the beautiful etchings from the 1800s and beyond.
conversations, and visiting shows at places like Craft Victoria, Gorker Gallery, No Vacancy and Lamington Drive are invaluable for an inspiring kick up the arse from time to time.
What’s your favourite piece that you’ve created?
What’s your creative process like?
This is a heartbreaking question. I don't want to say in case the other pieces hear... but ok. Just quietly it's a blue wool hooded cape that I made with a colourful digitally printed lining. It was a very indulgent piece so I only made 20, but they all sold out in a flash and now I don't even have one! Where do you get your inspiration? Old books are a good one – I spend an inordinate amount of time in second-hand bookstores. I also get very inspired by 1940s hardboiled detective books and movies, particularly those with Humphrey Bogart and a wise-cracking secretary. Aside from that it's really very random, although tram rides are great for eavesdropping on people's
It depends entirely on what's going on at a particular time. For example I've just finished a trade show (Design:Made:Trade as part of the State of Design festival) so I was busy preparing new pieces and working out my stand design, as well as a bunch of boring admin stuff like printing order forms and lists and organising business cards. But when I'm designing I have a vague routine that gets my brain into the right space–early morning coffee and drawing in the open air (thank you Happy River Cafe, near my studio), then putting on my giant headphones and drawing, cutting and making all day long, with minimal internet and email interference. Music is a must although according to my nearby studio friends, I sing along quite loudly (and badly) so I'm trying to keep a lid on that!
crafty folk
om The Check out work fr eak on Gently Unfurling Snlic.com.au w w w.YoungRepub
www.biscuitmagazine.com.au
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By Chau Tran
[Back away] I’m approaching the end
I won’t listen
I cried a hundred tears
Warning signs are coming into place
If you try and stop me
It was all because of you
Time to stop the chase
Just let me be
Have to hit the brakes
Let me be free
After all these years, is this what it has come down to?
Coz there’s a stop sign in front of my face
I’m walking towards the sea You aren’t my cup o’ tea
Is this something that was long overdue?
No longer a priority
Is this a sign or are you gonna follow through?
Telling me to stop this flirtation
A waste of space
I’m just telling you what I feel, this is just my point of view
This sudden halt has me filled with frustration
A waste of time
It’s an indication
Where am I? I look around, look at my location I need to get away and get out of this situation I have to turn away Have to turn my back Coz I’m running off track This isn’t right, I’m under attack Time to walk into the night, into the pitch black
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You said I’m yours, I said you’re mine
I hate you now
But I don’t see the proof of those lines
But I’ll love you in a day
This is turning out to be a rapid climb
I don’t want to push you away
Are you just a friend now or my partner in crime?
I want to see your smiling face every day
A waste of time
But what I see now and what you portray
A waste of living I’m in no mood for forgiving.
Can you meet me halfway?
Is far worse than I ever thought I’d see you put on display So just back away (You heard me) Just back away
www.biscuitmagazine.com.au
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