#OBUSLOVERS

Dani Venn is a lover of cooking, colour and wild dancing. Being a Mum of two she’s a big believer in keeping things simple and fun when feeding her family.

This Mother’s Day she takes us through a scrumptious pudding recipe to add some sauce to your Sunday! 

Ingredients

• Zest of 2 lemons, finely grated

• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary

• 1 cup caster sugar

• 125g unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 4 eggs, separated

• Juice of 2 lemons, freshly squeezed

• ½ cup plain flour

• 1 cup milk

• 1 tablespoon icing sugar, to dust (optional)

• Dollop cream or ice cream to serve

 Method

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees, rub melted or softened butter into a 1.5 – 2 litre casserole dish, ensuring that your casserole dish can fit into a slightly larger baking tray.
   
   
2. In a mixing bowl, rub lemon zest and rosemary into the sugar with the tips of your fingers to release the natural oils in the lemon and rosemary. Place butter in bowl of electric stand mixer fitted with the flexible beater paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar mixture together until creamy and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed.
   
   
3. Add egg yolks one at a time until fully incorporated before adding the next, add lemon juice and then reduce speed to the lowest setting and fold in the flour then pour in the milk. The mixture might look a little curdle and different to your usual cake batter but not to worry.
   
   
4. Pour batter into a large mixing bowl, clean stand mixer bowl fully so its sparkling clean with no oily residue and then place egg whites into clean stand mixing bowl fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk on high speed until egg whites are thick and fluffy like clouds. Using a large metal spoon, place half the egg white mixture into the batter and fold through gently then place the remainder of the egg whites into the batter and fold until fully incorporated.
   
   
5. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish, then place in a larger baking tray. Fill the baking tray about ¾ of the way up with boiling water then carefully place in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until sponge is golden and bounces back. A thin layer or gooey sauce should remain at the bottom, so you can always poke a knife in the sides of the pudding to check.
   
   
6. Remove from oven carefully, dust with icing sugar and serve pudding hot with dollop cream or ice cream.

We ask Dani a few questions...

 If you had to pick just one dish to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? 

This is like picking my favourite child, impossible to answer!! I would say dish “category” would be curry. I am borderline obsessed with spices, grinding my own spice powders and mortar and pestling my own curry pastes. There is such complexity and depth of flavour in curries from the world over and so many different ways to serve them with all kinds of veg and proteins. Of course Sri Lankan curries are my favourite and I love that I can share my interpretation of Sri Lankan flavours in my new curry simmer sauce range at Coles, much simpler then making from scratch too.

What vegetable did you dislike as a child, that you know love? 

I think its a stereotypical vegetable to dislike, but as a kid my brussel sprouts were not over boiled and let out a certain pong which I never enjoyed, but it turns out as an adult come winter I adore a Brussel Sprout. The trick is to halve them and deep fry them until crispy, blot them with paper towel and then smother in a dressing made from extra virgin olive oil, tangy English Mustard and if you can find it, Vino Cotto. Whisk together and drizzle over with a can of lentils and chopped mint and you are in for one of the best vegetable experiences of your life.

What self-care ritual do you swear by (when you have a second to yourself)? 

My bathtub is my happy place, it is fills my cup. I always emerge from it feeling renewed and revived If I am feeling fancy I might light a candle, add some drops of Lavender oil maybe put on a face mask and play some relaxing tunes. Pure bliss.

Flowers or chocolates for Mother’s Day? 

I still have so many left over Easter eggs that I have hidden from the kids that I sneakily eat when they go to bed so lets go for flowers!

Where in Australia would you love to travel to on your next vacay?

I love looking closer to home to find unique experiences, if I was to splurge I would love to go up to Broome and the Kimberlys but the next holiday I am actually going on with the kids is the Sunshine Coast in winter, because I really want to take the kids to Australia Zoo.

Recipe courtesy of Dani Venn. You can follow her on Instaram @danivenn

Photo courtesy of Dani, wearing Obus Idyll Blouse and Companion Jean (Coming Soon).

Meet Obus lovers, Celeste and her dear friend and co-owner of Natural Supply Co, Sarah. Like us, these two ladies pack all their orders themselves, and are equally committed to minimise as much waste as possible every day.

From limiting packaging from suppliers, reusing what they can and aiming for a zero-waste approach to business, they embrace the slow living lifestyle, and look for quality over quantity in all aspects of their lives.

Passionate about providing natural, yet delightful, beauty, skincare and lifestyle products, we asked Celeste to share some of her best tips on how to make small changes to take care of ourselves and our environment.

. . . . .

Kermit the Frog may sing ‘it’s not easy being green,’ but, with a little preparation, I beg to differ! Over the past couple of years, I’ve been making conscious decisions to try and reduce my family’s impact on the environment; avoiding single-use plastic in particular, which has crept into so many facets of our day-to-day lives without us even really noticing. But not anymore!

I know it can be overwhelming to get started on a more eco-friendly lifestyle; I have had a lot of people contact me about this, as I’ve shared my progress and tips on Natural Supply Co’s Insta stories. But I really believe the ‘progress, not perfection’ mantra. I am not perfect. I don’t pretend to be perfect; plastic still comes into our home. But I really believe that if we all make a few small changes, we can make a difference to the environment.

So to that end: here are some tips to help you make some positive changes in 2021!

 Get a bread bag 

Taking a reusable cotton bread bag to the bakery, and getting your loaf sliced directly into that, means saving a single-use plastic bag for every loaf you buy. That’s about two a week for my family; which means we are saying ‘no thanks’ to about 104 plastic bags a year. It all adds up! 

 Switch to a biodegradable dish cloth 

Next time you need to throw away your manky dish cloth, don’t replace it with a plastic one from the supermarket; buy a biodegradable version instead. You can use it just like your normal kitchen sponge, but when you’re finished with it, you can pop it into your compost instead of sending it to landfill. We love the fun prints from Retrokitchen; I’ve been using my two on rotation for 12 months, and they’re still going. 

 Invest in a reusable coffee cup and water bottle 

The trick is remembering to keep these with you when you’re on-the-go! I swear by the stainless steel Frank Green cups and bottles, which are coated in ceramic on the inside so your drinks taste just like they would in a cup at home. They’ll also keep your drinks hot (or cold) for hours on end. Plus, a lot of cafes will take 20c to 50c off your coffee price when you BYO cup, so if, like me, you drink a lot of coffee, it won’t take long to pay for itself. 

 Ditch the plastic toothbrush 

By switching your toothbrush to a bamboo or corn option, you can save a lot of toothbrushes from ending up in landfill, where they will take hundreds of years to decompose. You can pop your bamboo toothbrushes in the compost when you’re done with them; just snap off the bristles first. I love this pretty pink one!

 Take reusable produce bags to the supermarket 

We all know to take our shopping bags to the shops now, but have you got a stash of reusable produce bags, too? These are really lightweight so they won’t affect the cost of your shop, but you can use them over and over again instead of bringing your fruit and veggies home in plastic. We stock a few varieties, some that are made out of recycled plastic bottles; talk about going full circle! You can just chuck them in the washing machine when they’re dirty, and use them forever more. 

 Ditch the single-use makeup remover wipes 

We get it; taking off makeup at the end of the day is one job too many for some of us. The good news is, Biologi have made it easy with their reusable microfibre makeup removing cloths. Just wet them with warm water, use them to remove your makeup, then rinse them out – and repeat tomorrow! They come in a pack of three, in a mesh bag so you can chuck them in the washing machine and not lose them! We swear by these beauties for simplifying life, and looking after the environment at the same time. Plus, they can be used thousands of times, which will save you big bucks in no time at all. 

 Switch to cold water 

Did you know that by switching from hot to cold water in your washing machine, you can greatly cut down on electricity bills and reduce your environmental impact? According to the 2019 American Cleaning Institute Sustainability Report, about 90% of the energy used by a washing machine goes toward heating the water. But new product innovations mean a laundry cycle can now be done using cold water with no loss of performance, greatly reducing energy use. The difference to the planet is huge: if each household used cold water for four out of every five wash loads, they would reduce their annual CO2 emissions by 392kgs – that’s the equivalent of planting more than one-third of an acre of forest. If everyone made the same switch, the overall reduction would be vast. Can you imagine? 

I hope this has given you a few ideas on easy ways to make more eco-friendly choices. We’re always happy to chat about the right eco-friendly switches for your situation, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like some help!  

ABOUT CELESTE ROBERTSON

Celeste Robertson is one-half of local small business Natural Supply Co, which she co-owns with Sarah Scott.

Natural Supply Co is the destination for all things natural, organic and zero waste, stocking all eco-friendly products mentioned in this article. Geelong customers can shop at 5 Rutland St, Newtown or online at naturalsupplyco.com.  

As we head into the warmer months, creative and blogger, Connie, shares her favourite veggies to plant this summer and how you can get started in the garden!

How did you get started in permaculture?

I’ve always been interested in permaculture and the idea of learning from nature and applying nature’s wisdom in creating a more sustainable way of living. Last year, I decided to undergo formal training and completed my PDC and got my Permaculture Design Certificate which is an internationally recognised certificate that allows you to work as a permaculturist or teach permaculture!

Can you recommend some good resources for anyone wanting to start their own permaculture journey?

A wonderful movie that recently came out which shares plenty of permaculture principles in an accessible format is The Big Little Farm.

Retrosuburbia is also a recent book that was published by David Holmgren, one of the co-originators of permaculture. 

For formal training, look for a PDC near you! The Permaculture design system originated in Australia actually so we probably have a great number of opportunities to pursue this here locally!

What are the essentials to be planting this Summer?

• beans: super fun to grow - there are climbing varieties which will need vertical support as well as bush varieties which well, grow in a bush!

• beetroot: grow these from seeds (though I’ve also grown from seedlings and they were fine). Enjoy the greens whilst they’re growing then harvest the root once big enough!

• capsicum: pick up a seedling or two for all your summer pizzas and more. You can grow these in large pots too.

• corn: sweet corn is super easy to grow and grows really fast! Plant your corn crop together in a group to aid in pollination - do NOT plant all your corn seedlings separate and in different spots or you may not get corn.

• chilli: try jalapeño for your pizzas! Or the many other varieties out there which I haven’t tried because I can’t do much above a jalapeño! You can grow these in large pots too.

• cucumber: grows as a vine, have ready something to support it!

• eggplant: pick up a seedling or two to save time germinating them. You can grow these in large pots too.

• potato: plant in a separate, dedicated patch or potato bag (will share a tutorial soon!). Harvest when the plant dies down in autumn.

• pumpkin: super easy to grow but warning, pumpkin plants grow large and can take up metres and metres worth of space so only grow this if you have lots of space.

• silverbeet / rainbow chard: one of the easiest greens to grow.

• spring onion: plant the ends/roots from a grocery store bunch and watch them grow new shoots. So easy.

• strawberries: any and all varieties! You can never have enough strawberry plants. Buy these as seedlings not seeds as strawberries are commonly propagated and planted as runners (which are baby seedlings that grow from the mother plant). Exception: alpine strawberries don’t produce runners!

• summer herbs: try sweet basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, mint, lemon balm - so many options!

• tomatoes: try cherry tomatoes, they’re prolific and grow like a vine.

• watermelon: try sugar baby watermelon - they’re a mini watermelon variety that are good for single servings.

Sounds delicious! Speaking of food, which three empowering females you would love to share a meal with and why?

Michelle Obama - I read her book Becoming and was so inspired by her story and all the amazing work she does for the community. She’s an inspiration to so many.

Jacinda Ardern - she is such an empathetic prime minister and her leadership and being able to balance being prime minister as well as her family commitments has been super inspiring.

Millie from Gardening Australia - I love her segments on TV and are always inspired by her creative upcycles & garden projects. She inspires me to get things done in our garden.

What brings you joy-big or small?

1. Growing food and sharing it with loved ones! 
2. The smell of fresh air! 
3. Spending time with my partner Tom & papillon Toro :) 

ABOUT CONNIE

Connie Cao is a Melbourne based travel, lifestyle, home & sustainable living blogger, influencer, photographer & creative. Born and raised in Melbourne Australia, with a Chinese heritage, Connie has always been fascinated with art, nature and the beauty of both these things.

For more information about gardening, permaculture and how to grow some of the above summer veggies, visit her blog over at Connie & Luna.

Instagram: @connieandluna

Connie wears Obus Small Wonders Maxi Dress. Images courtesy of Connie Cao.

Meet Nonny B (aka Nynno), an artist and photographer who we're grateful to be able to collaborate with here at Obus.

With a penchant for exploring global culture through the arts, she gains inspiration and insight from the world’s vibrant subcultures. We caught up with Nonny to see how she's maintained her sense of creativity during lockdown and share her latest single, 'Defeat'.

. . . . .

Earlier this year you shot our OLANA x OBUS collaboration - which seems like a lifetime ago now - tell us what it’s like to work with other creatives?

As a freelance photographer, time in between people-based shoots can be a bit isolating. So working with other creatives is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people and get inspired.

The OLANA x OBUS collaboration was a great one to be part of because there were so many parts to it; Olana had his process for creating his masterpieces, Team Obus had their method of taking that work and making it wearable, then I took that work and helped to create some imagery.

Where do you get your inspiration for singing, songwriting and photography?

From everything and everywhere. I like to observe the world around me, whether that’s through documentary, music, my culture, personal life or the accounts of those closest to me.

With music, I like to let ideas swirl around in my head, sometimes I’ll reflect on my own experiences or give other people’s stories alternate endings. In the future, I’m hoping I can learn to challenge myself more by writing lyrics that are so outrageously far from myself and my personality, like a personal ghostwriting exercise.

Photography tends to be a bit more collaborative, so I often bear in mind the aim of the shoot and the skills of the people I’m working on the project with. I also try to see if there’s an opportunity with every shoot, to create something that challenges me technically and well as creatively.

Thanks for sharing your new single ‘DEFEAT' with us via IGTV [Watch here], tell us what it's about?

It’s mostly about walking away from the irreconcilable differences in a relationship. It speaks on the desire to allow for vulnerability but also reflects on the importances of knowing and respecting your personal boundaries.

How have you been keeping your momentum going during the Melbourne lockdown?

I’ve enjoyed certain aspects of isolation - having time to reflect, take in art and media, go on walks and create.

I’ve tried to embrace relaxation but I also have a slight fear of developing mental atrophy from extensive periods of inactivity [haha]. Ultimately I’ve maintained momentum by trying to keep balance in mind - making sure I’m productive with my time but also resting when I need to. You have to be kind but also honest with yourself.

What are you looking forward to the most this Summer?

Beers in the park. And hugging friends and family.
 

ABOUT NONNY B AKA NYNNO

Nynno Bel-Air Melbourne-based photographer, specialising in fashion, portraiture and social content.

She is also a creative singer and songwriter who is quickly becoming known for her broody brand of R&B. With verses that are paradoxical, her music delivery decidedly relatable themes in a casually esoteric yet playful way reminiscent of the soulful divas she's inspired by.

Get in touch via her website or follow her on Spotify.

Instagram: @nynnobelair

Website: Get in touch via her website or follow her on Spotify.

Nynno wears Obus Aster Wrap Dress. Image + Video courtesy of Nynno Bel-Air.

How long has it been since we were collectively sent home from the office? Who can remember when the individual days of the week merged into one featureless, never-ending Tuesday so soon after WFH became the status quo. But if it was say, February-ish, it’s been half a year since our kitchen tables became family desk-islands, the passenger seat of the car a conference room for calls that could not be set to a soundtrack of children fighting and on desperate days, the bathroom a break-out space for scrolling Instagram in silence for the few minutes before you were sought out by someone needing a snack, pencil sharpener, band-aid, charger etc.. Etc., etc., etc., literally all the etcs.. 

As noted at the time, one of the few upsides to a global pandemic was getting to give up proper workwear, anything dry-clean-only and agony around the waist by 11.30a.m, which is to say the majority of workwear if you’re a woman. 

There were hashtags, memes, there were newspaper stories about the splendour of nine-to-five sweatpants. And of course, to begin with it was pure joy. But then, at some point, so much fleece began to feel less like a personal choice and more like the inmate uniform of a low-security work prison. We began to long for anything with a waist, a dart, a cuff. And although some of us have, in recent weeks, been allowed to re-enter society/our offices, for others WFH is looking a lot like a sentence without a known release date.

As a writer, I have served 15 years already and like anyone who was already doing it, I have learned the ins and outs of not leaving the house. I know when and what to eat – a proper lunch at lunchtime, not a day-long degustation of crumpets, seaweed crackers, cooking chocolate and the leftover contents of a children’s party bag. I know the vital importance of a morning shower, vs. a bit of a wash. I know that when the suggestion is first put, a day-time social event seems like a treat and that, on the day, you will not have time and feel terrible for cancelling and even worse if you don’t.

As choices, they may seem unrelated but actually they are all made in service of the same goal: keeping your mood up, the hardest and most important part of WFH. Since fashion is the best mood-keeper-up there is, here is what I have learned about dressing for a kitchen desk. 

YOU CANNOT GET TWO DAYS OUT OF A TOP 
I mean, you can. When you do not go out, use public transport or move amongst people all day, your tee will probably still be good at the end of the day. But what you wear today the way is the only way you know it’s not yesterday, and once you have crossed the two-day threshold, it feels like, why not try for a third? And then it’s Thursday so why not see out the week in this tee? Actually, it’s become so soft, why not sleep in it Thursday night? Because it will be the beginning of an inexorable sartorial slide and, when you try to take it off at the weekend, the fabric will have fused to your underarms and require removal by a medical professional. 

WASH YOUR HAIR MORE OFTEN 
If you’re actively trying to get depressed, then definitely, cut back on real washes and just dry-shampoo until your hair is a single clump of matter. But if you’re looking to stay out of an emotional trough, wash your hair more often. It’s the quickest, cheapest form of self-care and even if it adds a little bit of time to your morning routine, you make it back on not having to go anywhere ever. 

WEAR COLOUR 
Whereas once, there was such a thing as a coloured load and a white load, you might have noticed that lately, you’re doing more, a single grey wash. For some reason, wearing colour or a print when you are home alone feels unnecessary and effortful, but pulling on something bright is no more work than pulling on something in a sludgy-grey-brown and if it’s just for you, there’s no better reason to wear it. 

AND A BRA BETWEEN NINE AND FIVE 
Of all the constricting items given up in these times, bras were supposedly the first to go. Like wine and Netflix, bralessness is tempting but ultimately, an unwise choice for day. Not because a woman should wear a bra or because being naked under your shirt feels weird on a Zoom call and, depending on the lighting, may be discernible to everyone else on it. Only because, Liz-Lemoning your bra out one sleeve before pouring yourself a silo of pinot is your chief reward for a day’s graft. Also if your office is also your sofa, underwire or the absence of it is the best demarcation between day and night. Spanx at home, of course not. Heels, why would you? Pants, up to you. But bra? Absolutely. 

GET CHANGED 
As discussed, treat to begin with but ultimately all-day-sweatpants are deleterious to wellbeing. Athleisure is a tempting alternative but like actual workwear, it hurts by lunchtime – tight at the waist and weirdly hot behind the knees. The trick is to wear something comfortable but not 100 per cent comfortable during the day and when it’s time to punch out, change into the truly, deliciously comfortable sweatpants that by now, you have totally earned. 

ABOUT AUTHOR MEG MASON

Meg Mason began her career at the Financial Times and The Times of London. Her work has since appeared in The Sunday Times, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sunday Telegraph. She has written humour for The New Yorker and Sunday STYLE, monthly columns for GQ and InsideOut and is now a regular contributor to Vogue, ELLE and marie claire. Her first book Say It Again in a Nice Voice (HarperCollins) was published in 2012. Her second, You Be Mother (HarperCollins) was published in 2017. She lives in Sydney with her husband and two daughters.

SORROW AND BLISS

Spiky, sharp, intriguingly dark and tender, full of pathos, fury and wit, Sorrow and Bliss, the latest book by Meg Mason is a dazzling, distinctive novel from a boldly talented writer. For fans of Sally Rooney, Taffy Brodesser-Akner and Fleabag. 

ENTER TO WIN: 

To celebrate those rare friends which light up our world despite seeing
us through our darkest moments ~ we’ve joined publisher Harper Collins Australia to give two book lovers a chance to WIN: 
1 x SORROW AND BLISS Book by Meg Mason
1 x $250 OBUS Online Gift Card
Enter via Instagram

Ingredients

For the pastry

• 175g/6oz plain flour

• 100g/3½ oz cold butter, cut into small cubes

• 25g/1oz icing sugar

• 1 free-range egg yolk

• 1 tbsp cold water

For the filling

• 5 free-range eggs

• 125ml/4fl oz double cream

• 225g/8oz caster sugar

• 4 lemons, juice and zest

• icing sugar, for dusting

 Method

1. For the pastry, place the flour, butter and icing sugar into a food processor. Pulse briefly until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then add the egg yolk and one tablespoon of cold water.
   
   
2. Pulse again until the mixture sticks together in clumps then tip onto a work surface and gather it into a ball with your hands. Knead the pastry just two or three times to make it into a smooth ball. Wrap it in cling film and place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
   
   
3. Grease 12 x 7.5cm/3in fluted tart tins.
   
   
4. Roll out the pastry to a thickness of 5mm/¼in. Cut out circles with a 10cm/4in round cutter and use to line the tins, re-rolling the pastry as necessary. Place the tart cases in the fridge to chill.
   
   
5. Preheat the oven to 200C(180C fan)/400F/Gas 6.
   
   
6. Cover the base of the tartlets with baking parchment or foil and fill with a few baking beans.
7. Bake blind for seven minutes then remove the parchment and beans.
   
   
8. Return the pastry cases to the oven for another 4-5 minutes or until they are light golden-brown and completely dry. Set aside to cool while you make the filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 170C(150 fan)/325F/Gas 3.
   
   
9. For the filling, break the eggs into a large bowl and whisk together with a wire whisk. Add the rest of the filling ingredients and whisk again until they are all well-combined. Pour the filling mixture into a jug, then into the cooled baked pastry cases. To prevent it spilling as they go into the oven, pour in most of the filling so it almost fills the tarts, carefully sit the baking sheet and tarts on the oven shelf, then top up with the rest of the filling to completely fill the tarts.
   
   
10. Bake for about seven minutes, or until just set but with a slight wobble in the centre.
    
    
11. Leave to cool slightly then carefully ease the tartlets from their tins an place on a wire rack to cool completely.
    
    
12. Garnish with fresh lavender, pomegranate seeds or a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Recipe courtesy of Mary Berry from British Bake Off

Photo courtesy of Qew Hector featuring Obus Aster Collection.

We recently caught up with Megan, Sydney based designer, illustrator and author to chat all things creativity, fashion and how 2020 has been a catalyst for change.

Combining her love of fashion, travel and illustration, Megan takes us behind the scenes as she creates a fun wallpaper inspired by our accessories so you can brighten up your digital digs with a little Obus.

. . . . .

CREATIVITY

How do you describe your illustration style?

Colourful, detailed, layered, and fun! 

What inspired you to move into illustration, writing and manufacturing over more traditional forms of graphic design? Did you know this was what you wanted to do, or has it been a gradual transition?

I studied Visual Communication at university, and always had an interest in the more tangible outputs rather than strict graphic design; I loved getting to make a project come to life and turn into something I could hold — whether that was a book, product packaging, or an assortment… I made a lot of weird stuff at uni! I had started making my own pieces, mostly jewellery, while I was studying and selling at markets, and eventually this turned into other wearable pieces that incorporated my illustration. Getting to combine my training with my passions is really a dream come true, and I feel really lucky to have developed a wide tool-kit for making just about anything! 

Tell us more about your business McKean Studio, which you run with your husband Joshua?

McKean Studio is a travel and lifestyle brand, and for the last 5 years we’ve focussed on crafting souvenirs and keepsakes from our travels around the world. About a year ago I made the decision to stop the physical output to focus on some new ideas that were more sustainable, and to partner with other brands that were more specialised in their manufacturing.

Over the last year we’ve focussed more on travel and writing and I’ve been exploring more illustration avenues. Joshua took a step back from McKean Studio a couple of years ago to focus on his career, and I started working more on the parts of the business that are more in line with my skill set — like illustration!

With distinctive colour palettes being common in your work, how do you choose the colours for each illustration/product?

Choosing a colour palette is always my favourite part of a new project. The specifics are largely guided by the project and what the finished outcome will be, and where it will go. I spend a lot of time laying out physical colour swatches (often paint chips that I’ve hoarded from Bunnings) and mixing and matching to find the perfect combination.

Most of my projects are city or location based, so I try to choose colours that are iconic and recognisable to that place and build out harmonious palettes from there.

We love your book, Hello, Melbourne! How did your Hello…! Series of Books come about, and how has that process evolved?

Hello, Melbourne! is the second in my Hello…! Series of books, I like to think of it as the buddy book for Hello, Sydney! which was released the year before. I was originally approached by a publishing house to work on something together, and we developed the initial concept for Sydney. We thought it would just be the one book, but it was received really well, and I’ve now written 5 books in the series!

The project evolved into countries (adding Australia and then New Zealand) as well as expanding into international cities, with Hello, London! being the latest addition, published just this February!

What kind of projects have you worked on recently? What was the most rewarding?

Lately I’ve been working on some big (secret) projects that have been largely self directed before pitched to someone who can make my idea come true — I always find these projects really rewarding because you can look back at what starts as just a kernel of an idea, and see it grow into something really big and exciting that someone else believes in too.

I’ve spent a lot of the last year working on a line of homewares coming out next month (!!!) which is one of my biggest projects to date, and it’s been amazing getting to see it all come together through the extensive samples and mockups and packaging layouts. It’s a combination of everything I love to work on - turning my illustration into something tangible that will eventually be a part of peoples lives. 

How has Covid-19 changed your 2020, and how have you adapted to these challenges?

This year has changed a lot of things… we’d been gearing up for some really big personal changes that have all had to go on hold for now, as well as having shifted our business focus. I had already given notice on the studio space in March, so have moved back to our tiny apartment, along with my husband who works outside of McKean Studio.

It’s been COZY in our 1 bedroom apartment that’s for sure. In some ways, it’s been a blessing for the business, having stepped away from production, but so much of what I’d planned for the year (like more travel, and hence, more travel writing) just evaporated overnight. I’ve tried my best to pivot, and have used the time to focus on new projects that will hopefully come to fruition in 2021.  

STYLE AND TRAVEL 

Ooh, that’s a tough one. If I had to describe it, I’d say fun, fancy and functional! I love fun prints and colours, but can have a tendency to overdress. I always opt for a nipped waist and fuller skirt, but demand functional pockets in my dresses, and always in fabrics I can wash and wear easily (no ironing for me, thank you!).

When it comes to travelling, what are your top tips for packing a practical yet vibrant wardrobe?

I’m a big fan of anything that can do double-duty. I love a pinafore style dress so you can pack multiple shirts that go with it, but it feels like a new outfit each time. Bright tights and a colourful coat are also my go-tos for winter wardrobes.

While you share several travel tales and city guides from your global travels, what are your top 5 hidden gems to visit within Australia?

I love coastal towns and one of my favourites is Port Macquarie on the NSW mid-north coast. It’s a very sweet spot and there’s so many nice things to do. It’s relaxed and unfussy and just has a great atmosphere. I also love Port Stephens, especially Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay. I’ve spent lots of family holidays in the area and it’s a really beautiful place to be, even when you’re not at the beaches.

Closer to home, friends of ours moved from Sydney to Glenbrook at the base of the Blue Mountains, and every time we visit it’s easy to see why they made the move for their family. It had a lovely village vibe, with cute cafes scattered throughout. It feels far from the city, but is only an hour or so from the CBD.

What destination is at the top of your travel bucket list, when we can start travelling again?

So many, I don’t even know where to start. We’d hoped for a birthday celebration on the Amalfi Coast this year — so maybe I’ll just push that to my next dream destination when things are back on again! Waiting for spring (and watching the one cherry blossom tree on my street) has had me dreaming of Japan too.

Do you tend to create on the go, be present in the moment, or a combination of the two?

I think I’m a combination — I enjoy every second when we’re travelling, and love snapping away on the phone camera all day. I’ll usually edit photos at the end of each day, and if I’m planning a post about something specific, I’ll do a little bit of writing into my Notes app to come back to later on. Illustration projects I really only do when I’m back home, and I try to treat the travel time like building a ‘mental Rolodex’ to come back to when I’m needing a hit of inspiration in my work. It’s all important research!

A DAY IN THE LIFE 

What is your favourite thing to do on a rainy day?

A rainy work day is one of my favourites, getting to draw all day with a hot water bottle on the lap and the coffee pot filled is the best! 

How do you incorporate sustainability into your every day?

We’ve gotten our daily routines down to a nice rhythm now, so many of the sustainable practices we incorporate are just second nature. We walk to our local grocer for veggies for dinner instead of driving to the supermarket (and getting our steps in for the day while we’re at it), we changed our power supplier to a renewable energy company, and we walk to our local cafe for coffee each week. 

The last few months at home have made me more thoughtful about consumption and shopping habits in general, so when I ‘need’ to buy something I’ll always check for a local or handmade option first.

Which three empowering females you'd love to have dinner (or a Zoom date) with and why?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jacinda Ardern, and Mindy Kaling. Can you imagine how good that dinner date would be? 🙌🏻 Although I really admire all of the work that all three women do in their respective fields, I mostly love how unapologetic they are about their talents and abilities. Getting to soak up some of that energy would be brilliant. 

What lights you up and brings you joy - big or small?

I love keeping an eye out for little joys throughout my day. Funny coincidences that make me smile on my daily walks — like two cars of the same model parked next to each other, or people in outfits that coordinate with their house colour. I try to bring an element of joy into every day - cause what’s it all about if you’re not getting a little ray of sunshine somewhere in your day?

I love a bunch of supermarket flowers, or pinching some blooms from my neighbours trees to bring inside. Bigger joys are getting to snuggle my friends babies, and making someone laugh.

What do you love most about Obus?

The colours and the prints, and their timeless appeal. I still see people in Obus outfits from years ago that look as good as the day they came out. Obus pieces have a way of feeling very particular to the person wearing them, but looks good on everyone! 💕

ABOUT MEGAN

Megan McKean is a designer, illustrator and author from Sydney. Always aiming to ‘design to delight’, she is inspired by travel and cities around the world. Megan’s illustrations can be found on homewares and lifestyle items, and in her best selling series of children’s books, in all good bookstores around Australia.

Instagram: @MeganMcKean

Website: www.MeganMcKean.com and www.McKeanStudio.com

Megan wears Obus Botanica Cord Dress. All images courtesy of Megan McKean.

Sleep disruptions come in all shapes and sizes and, of course, all have different routes to mend and manage them.

You may:

• Have difficulty falling asleep
• Wake up and have difficulty getting back to sleep
• Wake up multiple times to urinate
• No matter how much sleep you get, you still feel tired

It may seem utterly boring, but good food and a good nights sleep are the best medicine you can have, so let’s get into a few simple things you can do for a restful sleep.

1. Remove as much light as possible
You’ve heard of circadian rhythms – simply speaking, this is our body’s natural 24 hour cyclical clock. When people refer to their body clock, this is what they’re referring to.

Even low levels of light can reeeaaallly mess with it. This includes phones, computers, kindles and the annoying street light outside your window.

Avoid blue light exposure from screens for AT LEAST one hour before bed. This is where your trusty book comes in handy or a shower before bed. An eye mask worn in bed will be a dream if you struggle to remove light from your surroundings.

2. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time everyday
Following the same logic of the circadian rhythm, your body likes order and routine. Roughly following the same sleep/wake schedule will do wonders.

Which leads us to our next tip…

3. Exercise for a good night’s sleep
You don’t need to run a marathon or do a high intensity work out for it to be called exercise. Even a 30 minute moderately paced walk will cut the mustard. If you can leave the house for a breath of fresh air, I encourage you to do so – even if it’s just around the block.

Other forms of movement that will get the blood pumping:

• Gardening
• Cleaning
• Stretching
• Skipping rope
• Yoga (there is so much online!)

4. Manage stress and calm the mind
When we are stressed, our incredibly clever hormones MAKE US FEEL GOOD, so that we can get through the stress! This phenomenon is shown when we finally have down time from our busy schedule and completely crash and feel awful, but feel good when we’re in the thick of things.

Stressors are many and varied, but in order to reduce a cortisol spike at night that will disrupt your sleep, try the following:

• Leave work thoughts for work hours
• Place a drop of lavender oil on your wrists or on your pillow
• Listen to a yoga nidra or sleep meditation in bed
• Have a shower or bath before bed

For further tips on dealing with stress please have a look at Developing a Daily Ritual.

5. What to do when there is not enough sleep in the world
This is the time to contact your GP or preferred health professional.

If you are sleeping long hours and not feeling rested, it may be time speak with your GP to organise a mental health plan as this can be a sign of depression.

If upon waking, you feel groggy and it takes a while to get going this can also be a sign that your gut is having a hard time! Sub out the black coffee first thing for a hot water with lemon as a first step.

The tips you already know, but need to have someone tell you

• Don’t drink coffee or caffeinated drinks from mid-late afternoon onwards
• Avoid sugary foods close to bed
• Don’t work where you sleep and if you must, do what you can to make it feel separate)
• Go to bed at a reasonable hour (before midnight unless you’re a shift worker

Happy sleeping everyone.

ABOUT CAZ BUTLER

Caz wears our OBUS Botanica Dress - Coming Soon