The Bitch'n Edition

OCT $9.95

OCT 2016 $9.95

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THE BITCH’N EDITION

Editor’s Letter

We always get excited when the bold ones come along. The naturally cool and confident who stand up for what they believe in and stick to their guns no matter what the status quo. The ones who chase their dreams whether that be to change the world or wear that leopard print coat hanging in your wardrobe to your first job interview. For our ‘Bitch’n Edition’ we got bold, looking at pushing the boundaries like the work of Piccinini and standing up for what’s right in our article on consent. We’re getting back to basics and stripping away the sugar coating as we look at what’s pure and real, inspiring the yearning within to do what you love and to strive at it, so cm’on baby, it’s bitch’n!

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C O N TNT S 1. Selfies

2. Consent 3. Beauty

4. Bitch’n Behind the Camera

5. What’s the Stitch 6. Patricia Piccinini 7. It’s Jazz Baby

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8. These Boots 9. Bitch’n Kitchen

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Culture

Selfie noun

A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smart phone or webcam and shared via social media.

“Let me take a selfie”

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Words and Images by Ruby Kohl

he selfie has now become a huge part of modern life. It has transformed the simple selfportrait into something that is more immediate and has grown in cultural importance – it’s been linked to identity, self-exploration and narcissism. Something as simple as putting a camera on the front of a mobile device has created a new cultural trend that looks set to last.

Fears about the impact of the ‘selfie generation’ were recently brought to the fore with the story of Essena O’Neill – the popular Instagramer who claimed she quit the platform after her online presence

started to impact negatively on her life. So is it something to worry about, or just a bit of harmless fun?

Selfies are everywhere. In 2013 ‘selfie’ was named word of the year by the Oxford Dictionaries, in 2014 a song was released called #selfie, selfie sticks were banned in Disneyland in July 2015 and you could argue that the world would be seeing a lot less of Kim Kardashian and her clan if the selfie had never been invented.

Recent figures show that 91% of teenagers have taken a selfie and over 1 million are taken each day.

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BELIEVE IN YOUR #SELFIE

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Culture

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE DOWNRIGHT IRRITATING

Let’s get it right: sexting vs. selfies

Sometimes ‘sexting’ (sending sexually explicit words, videos or images to somebody, known as ‘nude selfies’ and ‘nudes’) and sending someone a selfie become confused. Sending a selfie only moves into the territory of ‘sexting’ when a naked, suggestive or sexualized image is sent.

A selfie, on the other hand, normally refers to non-sexual self-portraits, taken on a mobile device, either with friends or alone. It may or may not involve at least one of the people featured making a ‘duck face’ at the camera.

Narcissism

Some worry that selfies are helping to create a superficial generation who value their looks above anything else.

People’s growing obsession with the perfect selfie is evident in the existence of apps designed to allow the user to touch up and perfect their image before posting online.

Posting selfies online has also been linked to self-objectification, which

is when you view your body as an object based on sexual value, deriving your sense of self-worth from appearance.

‘When you let yourself be defined by numbers, you let yourself be defined by something that is not pure,’ she said.

Many worry that such focus on looks can undermine young people’s selfconfidence and body image. Young people can get caught up in how they’re portrayed on social media; seeking approval and affirmation from others in the form of likes and re-tweets. Relying too heavily on this as a means of boosting self-esteem will inevitably lead to unhappiness and low self-confidence when they’re not getting as much praise and approval online as they’d like.

She added new captions to her photos, stating the truth behind them: many were PR shots and it often took many hours to get that ‘this is me just hanging out’ look just right.

This appeared to be the case with Essena O’Neill – the teen famous for her incredibly popular social media presence, particularly on Instagram.

In November 2015, she famously quit the platform, stating how social media wasn’t real, that the focus on gaining likes and followers had made her feel ‘miserable’ and that it was simply ‘contrived perfection to get attention’.

Social media

Several separate studies have shown that an image-centric social media platform, such as Facebook, can cause depressive symptoms. This is because of the way Facebook enables and encourages the user to compare themselves to others.

Some go to very extraordinary lengths to curate the ‘perfect’ online persona. They remove, delete or detag any unflattering pictures, only the most attractive selfies are posted, and the only moments which are recorded are the positive or happy ones, creating the illusion of a perfectly flawless existence.

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When young people forget that this isn’t real, and compare their entire self, complete with flaws and down days, to other people’s curated, perfected versions of themselves, they can start to feel inferior and as though they fall short of everyone else.

It’s really important to remind young people that comparing themselves to others on social media is unhelpful, as they’re comparing themselves to something impossible and unattainable - nobody looks fantastic all the time and everyone has bad days.

Selfies with friends A study at the University of Georgia identified three main reasons people take selfies: self-absorption, art, and a social connection. For most young people, the latter will be the reason they’re taking a selfie.

Taking a selfie, maybe pulling some silly faces, and sending it to a friend is an amusing, unique way to communicate.

Also, taking selfies within a group of friends is a great way to bond, cement friendships and create memories.

Teenagers are naturally preoccupied with how they look as they change and grow – this has always been a natural part of teen life. Selfies have given them a new way of expressing this, and it’s likely they’ll grow out of any slightly worrying predilection towards taking too many of them.

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Culture

Words and images by Annie Holmes

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onsent, It’s the permission for something to happen or the agreement to do something. No change can be made without the agreement of all partners. Consent is significant for a number of reasons, without this permission for somebody to even just touch you, it is wrong for them to go ahead and do it anyway.

Women have been groomed for over thousands of years to just forgive and forget the wandering hands of some men.

Whether it occur when they are at school, on a night out or even in the workplace if a woman is than to speak out about this they often get the blame because maybe they were wearing something ‘provocative’ or they wandered off from their group of friends or perhaps they were just plain ‘asking for it’. This is a stain hidden within the debts of our culture. This is the norm; this is accepted. Let’s make consent the new norm. Maybe my over trustworthiness for strangers, men and strange places stemmed from my caring and loving group of guy friends which I hung out with regularly in high school from the age of fifteen until now (nineteen). They tainted my view of the world and made me naive to the way some men behaved in public spaces such as night clubs or parties. I’d heard about men mistreating woman of course and also the topical subject of consent but I’d never had to experience any problems with it, it was always something that occurred far away from home and just not something I ever thought I’d have to encounter. I never had to worry about feeling threatened by my friends or intimidated by them and as blissful as this sounds, it made my debut into the real world leave a bitter taste in my mouth as I experienced reality.

The night these thoughts and realisations erupted into my head started out like any other night out with my friends.

We all got ready at mine and then eagerly walked to club that we usually went to on the ever so popular student night. I never usually strayed from my friends as although I felt confident to walk around by myself, it just wasn’t as fun being alone. However, once entering the club and facing the darkness and flashing lights I lost site them. At first this didn’t phase me so I stumbled through the different rooms and sections of the club relaxed, but keeping a keen eye out for anybody that I had come with. I made polite small talk with a couple of strangers and danced a little before running into some of the people I work with. I danced and talked and drank an astronomical amount of vodka lemon and lime and bitters with them before I decided it truly was time to find the whereabouts of my friends.

“I was shocked, sad,

angry and confused and most of all I felt isolated and helpless

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Shuffling through the dark and busy night club I kept a close eye out for my group of friends, and decided perhaps it was time to even text them of their whereabouts because my foggy brain had not yet thought of this idea earlier on in the night. I shimmied and danced through tight spaces on dance floors jumping from one room to another before I was grabbed and held tightly by a large male figure.

Scared and angry I didn’t turn around to look him in the eyes, instead I struggled and pushed as hard as I could to get out of his grasp as he held me tightly on both arms. I’d never been held in this way before, especially never by a stranger. I was shocked, sad, angry and confused and most of all I felt isolated and helpless as I didn’t have my friends by my side to help me. I was being held so forcefully by this man that I could not muster up the strength to get away and this was intensely frightening. Once I finally pulled myself away from the man I ran and squeezed myself out of the room that I was situated in and ran to the smoker’s area to clear my head and breath some (somewhat) fresh air. As if it was some kind of miracle, I saw my friends waving me over with beaming smiles on their faces as they sat and sipped on cheap spirits and beer. I was reunited at last and welcomed with many hugs and love

Culture

from my endearing and caring friends. Once the reunion settled I told them that it was time to go, it was late, I was tired, the club was boring, were all excuses I used to persuade my friends into leaving with me. I didn’t feel it was appropriate to tell my friends about what happened with the man who grabbed me.

I thought that maybe I was making a deal out of nothing and that I should just keep my mouth shut. I was inexplicably quiet outside the nightclub and my friends could tell that something was not ok. Tears began to brew in my eyes and slowly dribble down my cheeks as I spluttered out the details of what had happened on the search for my friends.

Being the caring and loving people they are, they wrapped their arms around me in a giant group hug and walked me carefully to the nearest fast food restaurant, not letting go once. I felt warm and appreciated but couldn’t help but feel a sting when they began to tell me ‘this is why you don’t stray from your friends, especially in night clubs!’ ‘girls HAVE to stick together’, ‘that’s what happens to you when you are alone’. I couldn’t help but feel offended by these statements but I had nothing to say in response at the time.

Questions brewed and bubbled in my mind demanding answers but all I could do was swallow back tears that kept sliding down my dissolving makeup covered cheeks. Why did girls have to stick together? Why was it ok for males to walk around alone but not girls? Why can’t I stray from my friends and not get harassed? Why is the social etiquette and ‘norm’ in clubs that guys can just hold, touch and grab girls without them being giving an ok to do so?

women are expected to change their behavior in order to feel comfortable on a night out, not the men that grab and grope and poke at females because they cannot keep their hands to themselves? All these questions continuously boggle my mind but remain unanswered. I want females and people of any gender for that matter, to feel safe and secure on a fun night out and everywhere they go. Women shouldn’t be blamed for how some men misbehave and they should not be the ones asked to change. This isn’t far, this isn’t right and it just shows how feminism is still relevant to 2016.

I was ‘lucky’ that the man didn’t harass me any further than just grabbing and holding me against my will. The fact that worse can happen and it is totally out of my control to stop it terrifies me, and I do not want the world to be this way.

I want consent to be the new norm, I want women to feel safe on their own and with their friends and I want people to recognise that victims are not to blame and should not be the ones asked to change, the perpetrator is. Consent should be something instilled into education because too many people have been harassed and made uncomfortable on a night out. We should not be asked to drink less, dance less proactively or to wear clothes with more coverage.

None of these things mean ‘touch me’, ‘grab me’ or ‘grope me’. I want the world, and my hometown of Newcastle to be a safe place, filled with people as kind as my friends who would never dream of harassing a young girl, or a girl of any nature for that matter. Do not censor yourself from having a good time because you are frightened of the consequences. Live your life however you please and do not let people blame you for other people who disregard consents actions. Women are strong, women are beautiful and women radiate confidence.

Let’s make consent the new norm.

The backlash and comments based on my actions in the nightclub did not stop there. Still quite shaken up, I messaged a close friend of mine the next day the details of what had happened the night before. His immediate reaction was to tell me to not go off on my own anymore and then I’d be sweet. Why should I be tediously careful to make sure I’m with my friends in a night club? Why can’t people keep their hands to themselves? Why is it that

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“Women shouldn’t be

blamed for how some men misbehave and they should not be the ones asked to change

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Culture

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he bitch’n edition is all about getting back to basics and being confident with your true self, so when it comes to beauty don’t remortage your house in order to buy the newest serums, and toners, instead delve into the vast world of natural beauty products and rituals that look after your skin and the environment!

Beauty

BITCH’N BEAUTY NOTES — For Skin prep, mix coffee grounds with macadamia oil for a natural exfoliant, scrub in circular motions across face and neck, rinse with warm water.

Apply Rasasara Hydrating Mist to face.

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Beauty

BITCH’N BEAUTY NOTES — Apply Rasasara hydrating mist, followed by Rasasara Chandra Revitalising Oil to act as a moisturiser for the face and neck. For lips, apply Hemp Organics lip tint in Berry.

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BITCH’N BEAUTY NOTES — For lips, apply Hemp Organics lip tint in Terra. For cheeks, brush lightly, Eco Minerals Blusher in rose.

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BITCH’N BEAUTY NOTES — For strength and nourishment, apply Niugini Organic vigin coconut oil to the ends of your hair and work through. After 24 hours rinse out with warm water and no shampoo.

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Culture

Article and Illustrations by Laura McNeil

Cartia Mallan is turning the world of online beauty and fashion on its head with her outspoken, confidence and determination to help people, there is nothing that can stop her from creating her dreams into a reality.

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or a while, beauty, fashion and lifestyle vloggers were only represented in a way, to give the viewer’s information about the latest and greatest, products, fashion items and places to go. More recently social media platforms are being used to talk about serious issues including health and well-being, and their own personal issues. Byron Bay bound, YouTuber, Cartia Mallan is turning the world of online beauty and fashion on its head.

Not only is she creative and talented, but Mallan is mature for her age. At only eighteen years, Mallan decided that she would move out of her Brisbane home, where she was living with her mum and make the bold step to move out on her own. “Byron is such a hub, for so many creators and there is so many amazing people there, that I’m really excited to connect and collaborate with”, Mallan says, with anticipation.

Mallan’s growth is established through her change in content on YouTube, which includes videos other than your regular makeup tutorials; get ready with me’s or hauls/ lookbooks. Cartia’s new series of vlogs called channel C, after the music channel called channel V, have excited her followers, wanting more videos like this. Mallan’s vlogs are challenging the audiences perception of the norm, instead of telling her viewers what she plans to do that day, she shows us, like a film, expressing emotions through camera angles, lighting, music, sound, illustrations and effects. She longs for her viewers to feel like they are there too and for them to go searching for the hidden meanings behind her videos.

“I fucking love myself,” Cartia happily announces to the world. In a recent video talking about loving yourself and how to get to that point and Cartia goes on to say that society tells us at a young age that loving yourself is presented in a way to come off as being cocky or up yourself. Who you become as a person depends on how you are influenced in life, whether that being a positive or negative social group. Cartia goes on to say how she was very unhappy with herself at a time when she had issues with body image and therefore she eating away her emotions so that she would make herself feel better.

Since then, she has removed the toxic, negative people out of her life and went on to discover that she was more important than their perception of her, and takes the first step of loving herself. Mallan believes that by giving out positive energy, who will attract more positive people and that you can’t

be anyone else but yourself. “Everything in life should be taken as a lesson.” By experimenting with different things and activities you can find happiness through new interests and “Take want happens to you and say what can, I learn from this”. Mediating has been one of forms to help Cartia on her journey to loving herself. She says that, it not only helps you connect with yourself but it also helps you to be more creative and is also stress relief.

Cartia is not one to hold back, with raw, real emotion and feelings; she expresses her views, in a recent video up on her channel, on feminism. She talks about how there needs to be a change in equality for not only women but also men.

Reading out from a notebook, Cartia expresses how she was “taught to sexualize myself to be given the approval of a man”. Which a lot of women deal with through social conformity, of the sexual images depicted in “movies, TV shows, books and porn” that show men objectifying women, she explains in disgust. Cartia goes onto talking about a troubling, personal time in her life, were she has been objectified by older boys at a party, where they rated her and her friends and how this event and others like this, have affected her insecurities, that she still has today. Furthermore Mallan tells it like it is, saying that “men have courage to women, because they have to put themselves at a higher platform,” women just sit there and suck it up. Cartia now having the confidence to speak out against objectifying, explains Size 1 Size 2 that by teaching and retaining, boys and girls minds, of the right way to treat a human being, is a step towards equality for men and women.

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Culture

friends, be kind to yourself, and know that just because someone made a

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Stick up for yourself, stand up for you

comment about you, doesn’t mean you have to change - Cartia Mallan

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ATR THE

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Art

Words and Images by Kate Powell

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n recent days the stitch ‘n’ bitch has been making a comeback.

Having been around since the late 1930’s the social craft groups encouraged the coming together of women to chat and create all sorts of crafty handiworks, from knitting to embroidery. Instagram artists such as @happycactusdesigns and @ sarahkbenning have reintroduced the modern world to the beauty and enjoyment that can come from the skilled craft of embroidery.

Benning’s efforts to share and spread the love of embroidery has occurred in a new form of stitch ‘n’ bitch by

selling pattern packages, containing all the knick knacks needed to produce your very own version of her eye capturing designs. By making a new pattern available every couple of months, followers are able to join in, in the creation of beautiful artworks.

Their simple, yet beautiful designs left me feeling inspired me to do some creating of my own. Inspired by the very talented Sarah Benning, I took on the task of revamping some very tired jeans. Teaching yourself something new is always going to be tricky (and from personal experience - incredibly infuriating). From mastering basic cooking skills to becoming the next

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David Bowie. However, past all the perseverance and determination, reaching the eventual outcome is truly satisfying and comforting.

Learning the ropes - or may I say threads - of Hand Embroidery, was a challenge I most certainly underestimated. Never before had I considered the unassuming knotting and tangling of thread as being so vexing. Regardless of all the hours spent trying to figure out how I had managed to pull through thread of a completely different colour to what I had on the needle, it gets a 10/10 for improving concentration and patience.

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A Hand Sewing Needle

An Uber Cool Pattern (Source one OR create one of your own!)

Fabric (Preferably plain - but in reality, whatever your heart truly desires)

Embroidery Hoop

Scissors - of course!

Your choice of embroidery thread

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Art

From one novice to another...

To help a fellow learner out I’ve kept this as simple as possible.

However, I would recommend prior to starting your pattern you do some basic experimental stitches to test the waters.

Step 1: Choose or create that super cool pattern I mentioned earlier, this will come in handy in the early stages.

Step 2: Transfer the pattern to your perfectly selected fabric, then stretch fabric into embroidery hoop, centering your image.

Step 3: Make the very important decision of what colour thread/s you plan to use to produce your masterpiece (But is best to stay simple)

Step 4: Thread floss through needle – making sure not to separate the strands (very important, I learnt the hard way) and tie a knot on the opposite end of the thread.

Step 5: Choose an appropriate area/point to start on your pattern, flipping over to the backside of your workspace thread though to the front. Wooohooo you have created your first anchor!

Step 6: Now having returned to the front of your work, thread the needle back through to the opposite side.

Step 7: Repeat steps six and seven following the outline of your stunning design, until it is complete.

Step 8: Once its complete all that’s left to do is tie off thread you are currently using, anchoring it as closely to the fabric as possible and trimming tail to the appropriate length.

Ta-Da! You did it! Admire and flaunt that bitch’n stitch!

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Don’t be so easily fooled, within a few creations you will be hooked. My first attempt, with the aim to bring some old jeans back to life has led to an unhealthy obsession.

No longer is Spotlight a place of safe refuge for saving money. It has become an opportunity to spend my entire life savings on every shade of blue cotton, varying sized hoops and meters upon meters of fabric just waiting to be poked and prodded and transformed into a piece of art.

My latest interest being portraiture, transforming the works of artists such as Matisse and Van Gough, into mini stitched interpretations.

However, don’t be scared away by the possibilities of addiction. My case is merely an outcome of extended periods of procrastination and the overwhelming desire to learn new things. Thus resulting in spending up to five hours straight recreating works of artists I admire, yet it only feeling like ten minutes have passed.

In a final attempt to encourage the revival of the stitch ‘n’ bitch, rather than viewing this venture as a solo activity, look at it as an opportunity to spend time with friends. An excuse to chat away for hours, while simultaneously being productive, making memories and art. Use your new skill to

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capture a moment, remember an old one, or simply for the joy and love of creating.

This article is dedicated to three of my biggest inspirations, my Gran, Grandma, and Mum. The masters who passed their valuable knowledge and love for embroidery onto the apprentice.

Get stitching! The team at Faux Magazine would love to see the incredible creations that you all produce, so share a photo of your masterpiece on social media with your friends and family (and us to!) by including the hashtag #bitch’nstitch.

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Words by Sarah L’Estrange and Michael Cathcart Illustrated by Jacqueline Tucker

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t’s all in the eyes for Australian contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini, who creates hybrid creatures that evoke tenderness and concern about the implications of genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Sarah L’Estrange and Michael Cathcart take a look at Piccinini’s motivations.

Jacqueline Tucker uses lino print to explore Piccinini’s work on a stylistically simpler but no less captivating level of artistry. Since the 1990’s, Australian contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini has been creating tender, grotesque and beautiful artwork in sculpture, installation and photography.

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Baby Face

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Pigs Fly

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“confronting and ambiguous” She creates confronting and ambiguous works that push the boundaries of what is human and animal.

Her hard work has paid off and she’s recently been awarded the biennial Artist Prize in the Melbourne Art Foundation National Awards for the Visual Arts.

A lot of people bring baggage to the work and I can’t help that. Once I make the work it goes out there, people respond to it in whatever way they want to and often it’s to do with their own ideas about nurturing, maternity, breasts, breastfeeding.

Her art is part of the long tradition of artists making imaginary creatures.

‘My work is fairly mythological in that I present situations that people can connect to on an emotional level so that they can create their own ideas, their own responses,’ she says.

As with many cutting edge contemporary artists, Piccinini’s art is not without its critics and often confounds the viewer.

Her recent work Skywhale was commissioned for the centenary of Canberra celebrations. It’s a hot air balloon in the shape of a tortoise-like animal featuring huge dangling udders made from four hectares of nylon.

Former ACT chief minister Jon Stanhope was dismayed that Skywhale was commissioned at all.

Talking about the Skywhale, Piccinini describes it as a ‘she’ and admits it can be confronting. It’s all part of Piccinini’s provocation; she wants viewers to ask ‘what is it doing here, what is it saying?’

‘When you’re in an art gallery you know it’s art and you know that

you’re meant to be thinking about the current art ideas.’

However, she says Skywhale is different because it’s not displayed in the usual art gallery context.

‘Generally, hot air balloons are trying to sell you something. But when you see the Skywhale, you don’t know what it’s about.’

As with much of her work, Skywhale is a comment on nature.

‘On every place on this planet there’s a creature that’s perfectly adapted and has evolved to live in that space in perfect harmony and that’s a wondrous thing.’

Piccinini wants us to imagine what a whale might look like if it evolved in the air rather than the ocean. What the world might look like if we were to assist in that evolution. What are the consequences of us, for us and them.

“ the idea that we might grow human organs in other species.”

She accepts not everyone is going to like her art, and says ‘a lot of people bring baggage to the work and I can’t help that. Once I make the work it goes out there, people respond to it in whatever way they want to and often it’s to do with their own ideas about nurturing, maternity, breasts, breastfeeding.’

Piccinini’s mother died of liver cancer and Piccinini spent a lot of time in hospital as a teenager. Her mother was only 39 when she became sick.

If we don’t treat the animals that already exist very well, what will be the fate of creatures we make for our own needs, she asks.

‘I know what it’s like to really want [a cure] and would give anything to have an organ to save a family member,’ she says.

Her sculptures and installations offer a critique of the possibilities and drawbacks of biotechnology. If we don’t treat the animals that already exist very well, what will be the fate of creatures we make for our own needs, she asks.

In Canberra,w a breastfeeding clinic embraced the imagery of Skywhale.

‘They asked me to give them a print of the Skywhale to hang in the breastfeeding room.’

However, she wants us to empathise with the condition of this creature which will be killed for our benefit, along with her offspring. Giving her creations a human demeanour helps us see this question of rights.

Another popular work by Piccinini is The Young Family, a life-size pig-like creature suckling her young. The pig has human qualities too, like feet and looks up at you with deep sadness.

For Piccinini, it’s all in the eyes.

‘What she’s talking to us about is that she has reproduced and is thinking about the future of her own one 2you Size 1‘Love is not looking at the Size offspring and that’s something we care for, but looking in the same share with her.’ direction as the one you care for.’

‘That work is about the idea that we might grow human organs in other species.’

Her sculptures and installations offer a critique of the possibilities and drawbacks of biotechnology.

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In amongst the commentary on genetic engineering, science and technology, there is warmth to Piccinini’s art. She is reflecting on what is central to the human condition: love.

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Sky Whale

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M IC THE

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Music

JA IT’S

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Words and Photog raphy

by Billie Bull

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Music

Discovering at age 11 that 4 strings wasn’t enough, jazz musician Leo Larratt turned his attention to guitar and hasn’t stopped playing ever since. Now only 19, Larratt has played with some of Newcastle and Sydney’s best and has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. I spoke to Leo about his influences, aspirations and all things JAZZ.

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hat are some of your earliest memories of music?

My earliest memory... I sort of remember it; apparently I used to make up songs when I was three. I briefly remember having a red bucket for some reason and I’d just hold it singing “red guitar, red guitar, reddy, reddy, reddy, reddy, red guitar.” That was a song I made up about a bucket I thought was a red guitar.

It sounds innovative! Do you always remember music as being inspirational? As something that you connected with from an early age?

Yeah definitely, um, it’s been the only thing that I can remember that I’ve liked for my whole life and it’s definitely had a big impact on the way that I see things and relate different things to each other.

bothering my mind, I just play the music and almost feel at one with it, I sort of forget about my body and everything else that is going on, it’s like the only time I’m properly in the moment of things which is good.

Would you say that music works as a kind of sanctuary for you then?

Yeah I guess so.

A good impact?

Yeah definitely a good impact, sometimes bad but nothing can only be good.

What artists have been the most inspirational for you throughout your musical career?

Um, my music career... I used to really like Brian Sezter from ‘The Stray Cats’... John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, and later in the past few years, Wes Montgomery and John Coltrane have been two huge influences on me since I’ve gotten into jazz.

What are you thinking when you’re playing music?

These days a lot of stuff I play is more in the area of jazz and improvisation, so certain songs put me in different moods, and then when I am improvising like playing a solo through the changes of the song, my mind is pretty tranquil and blank... it’s more I’m not really thinking I’m just feeling.

They are very good choices. You play a lot of different styles of music such as funk, soul, blues and of course jazz. Do you have a favourite style,

What are some of the feelings you get?

Peace... I don’t think about other things that are usually

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one that you connect to more?

I like playing jazz the most because even if the song isn’t written by you, you still get to put your own creativity into it. Really a jazz song is just a shell for individual creativity whereas in a funk or blues song you’re much more confined to play the song as it is written. Jazz is my favourite thing to play as I feel much more creative with it because it lets me express myself. I don’t really write many songs at the moment, um, so it lets me be creative without the stress of writing songs.

Do you have plans for the future to write your own music within this genre?

Yeah definitely. If I get an idea I’ll play with it, but these days I’ve just been too critical on myself, I just don’t give myself a chance. I’ll think of something and say “oh that’s cool” and then think about it for a bit longer and just scrap it. Hopefully I can move past that because I do love the feeling of playing music which I’ve written.

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I sort of forget about my body and everything else that is going on, it’s like the only time i’m in the proper moment of things which is good

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During last year and this year you’ve been playing lots of gigs with some great jazz musicians around Sydney and Newcastle, what were some of your best musical experiences?

One of my best was at the start of this year playing with my favourite Australian Jazz musician Warwick Alder, playing with him was great! And also getting the chance to play with Andrew Dickeson down in Sydney, and just some of the other gigs I’ve done in Sydney and Newcastle over the past year. I’ve had quite a few high points.

If you could play within a group of any one musician, whom would you pick to be in your band?

Do they have to be alive?

No you can pick anyone!

Fuck I don’t know it’s hard haha, um... I would have Paul Chambers on bass, Elvin Jones on drums, Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins.

Just your wingman hahaha Yeah just playing a bit. If I got to have another guitar I’d have Wes Montgomery just sitting there with me. It would be a bit ridiculous but it would be good!

You started off playing in an Indie-rock band from quite an early age, about 14, do you remember how you came to be a jazz musician?

Well the first music I listened to was really based around improvisation. I’ve listened to a lot of afro-Cuban styles of music since I was born which was all just another form

Music

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of jazz, so jazz has always been apart of me. Then as I got older different genres became cooler, like when I was in year 8 when I started that band that was the cool thing to do then. I did it and it was fun, and I wrote a lot of songs but it was a weird time of my life and we got pretty well recognised around the area. I just got bored with it because we would be doing gigs and just playing the same thing. I didn’t get into jazz straight away and kind of stopped playing music all together, but then all of a sudden it sparked in me that I wanted to start playing jazz and it’s worked out well for me.

it sparked in me that I wanted to start playing jazz and it’s worked out well for me

”

Was your household a very musical one when you were growing up?

Yeah extremely! We didn’t really play music per se but I grew up with music always on from all over the world. We never really had any music in my house that was sung in English, it would either be instrumental or lots of Spanish or Portuguese.

What is the next stage for you; say where do you want to be in 5 years time?

I want to be at my peak of playing, even though that doesn’t really happen cause I know I’ll always get better as a jazz musician. I just want to be really good by then, playing with my favourite musicians whether it be in Sydney, America or France. I don’t know but I just want to be content with my playing and I want to be playing with some of the great musos that are alive at this time.

Yeah I wouldn’t mind playing with my favourite musos in France haha. And finally when you’re not gigging or building your own guitars what are you getting up to?

Fishing. (laughs) not really, just practicing and playing guitar they’re the only things I do really.... it’s sort of a very one-sided life to be honest.

Is that a good thing?

Yep.

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DOLCE & GABANNA dress; PRADA coat and suede boots; stylist’s jewllery and clutch

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GUCCI handbag; vintage woolen top, VETEMENTS suede skirt and vest; PRADA boots; models own earrings

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ALEXANDER WANG dress; PRADA coat and boots

PRADA fur coat and handbag; VETEMENTS suede skirt; models own sunglasses

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VETEMENTS jacket and skirt; vintage blouse; PRADA boots; model’s own sunglasses

We are totally into healthy eating so finding this recipe made all our foody dreams complete. The heartwarming smell of baked goods cooking in our kitchen brought us all together and we just had to share that with you.

We’ve included a cheat sheet for cooking without eggs for those who find themselves short in the 1 Size 2 kitchen and allSizeour veggie friends.

Much love and happy cooking.

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Greek Yogurt and Honey Blueberry Muffins Our new favourite blueberry muffin recipe is definitely something you will want to dish up to your friends this Spring. Your welcome.

How To

Ingredients

3. In a large bowl whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.

1. Preheat oven to 200C. 2. Line a 12-cup muffin tray with paper liners; set aside.

2 cups whole wheat flour

4. In a medium bowl whisk together the yogurt, milk, vanilla, banana, honey, and oil.

1 cup plain flour 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons brown sugar

5. Gently fold the yogurt mixture into the flour mixture using a spatula, fold until combined. Be sure to mix only until the flour disappears. Fold in blueberries.

1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared tins, place tray in the oven, and bake for 18 minutes, reducing the heat to 190C after 9 minutes of baking.

1/2 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

7. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the tray before carefully transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

1 large banana, mashed 1/4 cup honey 1/2 olive OR coconut oil (if using coconut oil, be sure it is above room temperature and melted) 1 cup blueberries

For more amazing, delicious recipes visit:

Note: We used 1 large banana in place of 2 eggs

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Baking without eggs

Applesauce

Use 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce in place of one egg in most baking recipes. Some say to mix a 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. If you only have sweetened applesauce, simply reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. Applesauce is also a popular replacement for oil in many baked goods.

Flax seeds

Believe it or not, hearty-healthy flax seeds can be used as an egg substitute! Simply mix one tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoons water until fully absorbed and viscous. Use in place of one egg. (You can use pre ground flax or grind them yourself in a spice or coffee grinder.)

Banana

Use 1/4 cup mashed banana (to about half a banana) instead of one egg when baking Not that this option may impart a mild banana flavor to whatever you are cooking, which could be a good thing!

Vegetable oil

Typically 1/4 cup vegetable oil can be substituted for one egg when baking. If you are short more than one egg, you will want to try another method as more oil may make the recipe too oily or greasy.

Water, oil and baking powder

Whisk together two tablespoons water, one teaspoon oil (like corn or vegetable oil) and two teaspoons baking powder. When used in cookies or other baked goods, it works so well no one would ever know!

Name Laura McNeil Age Twenty Interests Dancing, hockey, running, and drawing What is Bitch’n to you?

I believe it is someone who is cool, confident, strong minded and outgoing.

Name Annie Holmes Age Nineteen Interests Patting dogs, eating vegetables and wearing velcro sandals.

What is Bitch’n to you?

Bitch’n to me is confidence and owning who you are. Something that is cool and stands out and means something to you.

Name Jacqueline Tucker Age Twenty-Nine Interests Sewing, fashion design, graphic design, paddle boarding, and I love dogs.

What is Bitch’n to you?

Bitch’n to me is having the strength to defend yourself and others, friendship and respect.

A brief introduction to the makers and creators of Faux’s Bitch’n Edition. Get to know the designers, writers, and artists that bring your favourite ‘bitch’n’ articles to life.

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Name Kate Powell Age Eighteen Interests I have a passion for distance running, interesting socks, embroidery, and apple juice.

What is Bitch’n to you?

To me ‘Bitch’n’ enthusiastically describes something or someone that isn’t afraid to be different and exudes confidence.

Name Billie Bull Age Nineteen Interests I love photography, listening to funk music and drinking iced mocha’s.

What is Bitch’n to you?

Bitch’n to me is someone that rocks thigh high boots and a mini skirt.

Name Ruby Kohl Age Eighteen Interests Beauty, beach, drawing, bunnies, martial arts, and Taylor Swift.

What is Bitch’n to you?

When you have a beautiful, confident and independent personality that shines through your unique style

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