Melisanda | April 2018 by themelisandajournal

Melisanda

OF CAP E TOW N

ISSUE №0 : APRIL2018

“H ELLO , W O R LD ”

recognizing creators, creations, ideas and the earth

Melisanda: “HELLO, WORLD”

№0

TIF FAN Y J. “SE E ING TH E LIGHT ” PAGE 10

Melisanda | Issue № 1 | “Hello, World”

contents Apri l 2018 | i ssue №0

Contact Melisanda themelisandajournal@gmail.com | www.themelisandajournal.wordpress.com | Instagram : @themelisandajournal Photography of T Jordan and K Tema by Alice Torppa (@alice.studios) | Journal written and edited by Alice Torppa

Copyright © 2018 by Alice Torppa All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at melisanda.magazine@gmail.com All material published on Melisanda © is the intellectual property of Alice Torppa and is protected by international copyright law. Generally speaking all text is the intellectual property of Alice Torppa while images are the intellectual property of the relevant photographers, designers etc, unless otherwise stated.

Welcome to

Melisanda ( o r le tt er fro m t he ed i to r)

I decided to begin publishing this journal online because I wanted to see something combining travel, art, nature, style and more with a Capetonian/ Nordic influence on a regular basis. Also - I desperately wanted to work in publishing. But apparently being without a degree and doing high school full time makes it hard to get hired - who would have thought?

layout design). I had supportive and willing friends who were happy to be photographed and featured.

origin means „honey‟ or „bee‟ and this relates to the alfrescoappreciation theme of this publication, as well as the connection to balmy Cape Town. Also, I needed a motivating factor to improve my writing - Melisanda also means „bravery‟ and „strength‟ what better than to release it which I believe are traits of for the world to read, right? passionate and hardworking What is Melisanda? artists and creators. Furthermore, Melisanda is the name This is an online journal to share stories from creators in my Nordic mother gave to me Cape Town and creators inter- and therefore represents the nationally. Melisanda attempts Nordic and female influence to showcase travels, art, crea- over this publication. tors, wisdom from across the world, natural remedies and Welcome to Melisanda, have a social media treasures. Does that sound messy? I prefer the good day! word eclectic and I don‟t think creativity should be restricted -Alice Torppa to a single genre.

I also wanted elbow room. I wanted the freedom to choose the content and look of my publication - as well as the flexibility to showcase creators, creations and ideas in a personally designed concoction. Luckily, I had the means to do so as well as experience (my high school‟s magazine Why the name Melisanda? tolerated my reviews and graciously allowed me to do some This unlikely feminine name is of Old French and Greek

Melisanda | Issue № 1 | “Hello, World”

p oet r y

This issue‟s poem is about women loving one another and seeing each other‟s natural beauty.

EVE E V E EVE O F THE

O F THE O F THE GARDEN

GARDEN GARDEN .

E VE IS MY FRIEND I N M Y GA R D E N S E E K I N G HE AV E N I N M Y GA R D E N GREEN IN HER EYES G R E E N AT H E R TOE S B L U E I N T H E S KY B L U E I N HE R E Y E S L I G HT O N H E R S K I N L I G HT O N H E R M I N D DAISIES IN HAND S HE S M I L E S AT M E E V E KN OW S M Y FA C E I K N O W HE R FA C E W E K N O W O U R H OM E I N O U R GA R D E N EVE IS A FRIEND O F T HE G A R D E N

b y A. M.T.

TIFFANY JORDAN on balance

Melisanda | Issue № 1 | “Hello, World”

Seeing the

light

w/ Tiffany Jordan

iffany Jordan is open to learning new perspectives.

It can be difficult to accept eastern values when being raised in western society. People, young and old alike, around the world are being exposed to different principles because of globalization and social media. Tiffany is a person who was introduced to Buddhist philosophy through the internet. Through research about this philosophy, she came to the conclusion that it is okay to not believe in any god and just believe in the principles of leading a healthy and positive life.

“Learning about Buddha‟s teachings has left me with the opinion that each person needs to find a balanced, moderately disciplined lifestyle that takes account of their individual differences.” Tiffany advice to anyone who is struggling with understanding their individual differences and having a positive outlook on life: “I advocate the importance of spending time to get to know you. When you learn about yourself, your strengths and even your weaknesses, then being positive about your life and your future becomes easier because you gain a sense of clarity.

Melisanda | Issue № 1 | “Hello, World”

“When you learn about yourself, your strengths and even your weaknesses, then being positive about your life and your future becomes easier “

hen I train for sport and focus on the physicality, it really makes me feel happy about myself. Pushing my body in sport relieves a lot of my stress, and it allows me some control over my emotions. My tendency to be angry is unfortunate, but exercise helps with that. I try to mediate because it helps me balance myself mentality. When it comes to materialism, I am victim sometimes to that challenge because in today's society we cannot seem to help but fall into being a little obsessed with the things we own, and the things we want to buy - but it helps me to remember my goals, and what I already have.

Tiffany‟s advice on living a more balanced life: “Try not to live a life where others‟ harsh opinions do not influence the way you act or the way you live your life. Anyone who is discouraging your philosophical or religious beliefs has their own problems: if they had anything true to say about those beliefs - they would never have been so smallminded about yours in the first place.”

TIFFANY ON INSTAGRAM @_tiffany.jordan

Melisanda | Issue № 1 | “Hello, World”

rem e d i e s In this section of Melisanda - wisdoms of around the world will be explored. These wisdoms include practises and remedies to better mentality, physicality and over-all wellbeing.

WABI

abi Sabi is a practise that maintains the idea that all things are beautiful - including imperfections. Wabi sabi is the aesthetic representation of Zen (seeking to allow enlightenment to happen naturally, as a result of clearing the mind). In our modern day and age, it is most commonly practised through decoration of the home, but the original application of wabi sabi was to create the environment for those who practise Zen to meditate. Basically: wabi sabi clears our environment in effort to assist clearing our minds.

KEY WABI SABI IDEAS INCLUDE:

Appreciation - seeing the value in all things; seeing the best of everything Humbleness - being yourself while being unassuming and unpretentious Naturalness - living close to nature, and using natural materials; freeing yourself from preconceived notions about design Seizing the day - living without worry of the future or past Simplicity - settling most of your attention on the things most important to you Tranquillity - freeing yourself from distractions and obstacles preventing your journey to inner peace

S ABI

ROSE-

MARY H

eaven is not only above you head, it is under your feet as well.”- Thoreau

Rosemary is an herb that has been long associated with stimulating memories and quickens the senses. In William Shakespeare‟s Hamlet, Ophelia says to the titular character: “There‟s rosemary, that‟s for remembrance”. A bit of Shakespeare wisdom is always welcome to Melisanda. This herb is perfect for anxious students during exam time. (On a personal note: I tucked a bit of rosemary into my pocket while writing my final exams last year. Each time

I took a whiff of it I felt a bit more relaxed and my brain got to work. Also - as far as I know, there are no rules about carrying herbs into exam rooms… I certainly did not get punished for it). Luckily for us Capetonians, Rosmarinnus officinalis grows best on the coast; hence the nickname „The dew of the sea‟). This means an abundance of rosemary! Another use of rosemary is that it makes a tasty (and pretty) addition to salads! Make sure to chop is and add to your meal lightly - as it is a strong herb.

Melisanda | Issue № 1 | “Hello, World”

the social SPOTLIGHT

(Cape Town)

Melisanda‟s mission is to celebrate creators - with a focus on Capetonians. Social media allows us to find our next creative obsession. In this issue - we recognise three Capetonian women-run accounts which have captivated us.

BLOGS: @eastafternoon (www.eastafternoon.com)

@emmajanementeath (www.mylifeinpink.co.za)

Run by Georgia East, East After Noon covers Georgia‟s passions for fashion, food, travel and introspection. Georgia‟s aesthetic is desaturated and minimalistic - her photography is charming and her pugs are adorable. We love her recipes (*cough* Easy Vegetarian Chilli Con Carne *cough*) and her clothing label FORTUNE.

Emma Jane Menteath‟s blog is beguiling. With fashion photography from the talented Justin Polkey - we just can NOT stop looking at My Life in Pink. We have a little bit of a design crush on her elegant colour palette and classy aesthetic. Her fashion reports are consistently fresh and inspiring, leaving her readers keenly anticipating the next.

Photographs belong to Georgia East

Photographs belong to Emma Jane Menteath

BRAND:

NETTE ROSE

Photographs belong to NETTE ROSE

@nette_rose (ww.netterose.com) Nette Rose‟s charming and delicate intimates are decorating our local girls. This Cape Town based brand‟s mantra is: “She is a wild one. With a gentle soul. Who sways to her own rhythm and dresses for herself.” Their website and Instagram page is decorating in bewitching photographs of young women wearing beautiful ad gentle lace designs. Nette Rose advocates the power of dressing for yourself.

THE HAPPY LOCAL

Kholofelo Tema

Melisanda | Issue № 1 | “Hello, World”

Kholo on Instagram: @kholo_the_felo

holofelo Tema loves to live in Cape Town. Being exposed to cities abroad has allowed Kholo the opportunity to form his own opinion on Cape Town. He believes that sometimes we fall victim to the romanticizing of metropolitans abroad and yet after going back and forth, Kholo believes - like Melisanda, that Cape Town deserves the title of „Most Beautiful City in The World‟. “I love the Mother City because it is

such a cosmopolitan city with many eclectic faces and experiences. It has the trendy, young, fashion-forward atmosphere mixed with stunning beaches and incredible mountains. Not many cities in the world can brag over such a combination of style, nature and diversity of culture. Also, the weather here in great and there seems to be a year-long relaxed attitude because of it - which is presents itself in the laid-back personality of many Capetonians.”

Kholo’s Cape Town Guide: 4.

1. Woodstock - The Old Biscuit Mill 2. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens 3. V&A Waterfront The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa 5. Sea Point Promenade 6. Clifton Beach 7. Kloof Street 8. Signal Hill 9. The Creamery by Mouille Point 10. The Bo-Kaap

thank you for reading,

@themelisa

andajournal

see you soon...