My first published story - The Power of Black and Blue

#the dress

Remember that annoying thing?

It emerged on social media and spread all over the internet to tv, radio, newspapers the whole shebang.

People saw a dress as black and blue, white and gold - The world was divided in shock!

My partner and I reported on what came after.

Have a read of my story here

It seems so distant now, like it happened an eternity ago. This is how these viral trends come and go between the visible and the forgotten.

The South African Salvation Army charity took this phenomenon and used it for a campaign against domestic violence.

They used the message, the bigger picture and what it meant to everyone to deliver their own issue.

It's an important examination of how organisations are using this style of 'piggypacking'.

Have a read and give me some feedback!
I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to share this with you.

I'm off to a start on my writing! More to come.

Mash it up
xx 

Student-ness - Or as I call it, the 'Ramen Cycle'

The 'Ramen Cycle' refers to my assosciation of hungry students (with little money and patience) to the availability of ramen noodles.

Consider the stereotype of the lowly student;

They study, drink far too much, spend their money recklessly and ultimately end up always eating ramen or other forms of 2 minute noodles.

image source: reddit.com 

We're not all like this, I promise.

We study because that's why we're students, we drink far too much because we're always studying or working, we spend money recklessly because we're deluded from all the drinking and because retail therapy is addictive,

AND we eat these cheap, repetitive noodles because we're so poor from all the shopping

The cycle continues because ultimately we're still hungry because noodles aren't nutritious.


I'd like to break it by saying that most of this is down to how lazy you are.

I'm pretty lazy, you'll often find me making a ramen when I'm not actually bothered to cook the fresh food in my fridge.



HOWEVER. Priorities of health mean that I at least keep that laziness to no more than 2 times a week. (Shocking!)



Why why why you say?

The ingredients lists on these 2 minute noodle packs look like the ones on cleaning products. Long, confusing and poisonous sounding.

We all try to eat right, and it's fine to binge, but when you're a student caught in the 'Ramen Cycle' my suggestions are:

-Work more or enough to cover the booze and the small urges to shop and the fresh foods. That's the minimum

-Hide your ramen so you can't find it when you're raiding the kitchen like a bear searching for food

-Ask a roomate, parent or partner to yell at you when you find it

-Pre-make snacks that you can access easier than the Ramen (for example, a cucumber sandwich: a dose of green and carbs)

-Try not to restock your noodles every week. Do it once a month if you're like me and you buy the bulk packs


Fulfill even some of these steps and you're on your way. Oh and also don't drink too much. Keep it slow and the need for unhealthy crap won't be so big :)

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go microwave some noodles.

WHAT? I haven't had any this week.


Mash it up in a soup cup
xx

Back From The Dead - Home Decor

As per a prompt from a family member I have emerged like a glorious butterfly!

Life drags you down with it, and though you dedicate yourself to writing a Blog you ultimately forget to and end up coming back almost a year later and thinking, 

"Hey, I haven't written anything in ages!". 

SO. On that note I have set a phone reminder to prompt myself to write at least once a week.

I have continued to be active on Instagram, feel free to follow to see a more visual diary of what happens in this students's mutterings.

Today I sit at my laptop working on Journalism stories and pondering the end of the short holidays before I return to Uni next week. I suppose I even miss it!

As of recent I have been focusing on re-decorating the apartment (still in Newtown) and keeping tidy for the coming colder months.

In particular I have been fascinated with flowers recently. I am finally at a stage where I earn enough working at the bakery where I can afford a fresh bunch of flowers every week or so. It's amazing what it can do for your mood. 

I.e. If I were to buy a slice of cake each week to make me feel better, flowers do that job, and better (and healthier, haha)

Have a look at these photos from around my home for some inspiration! I have also put out a lot of candles and lighting features for pleasant smells, moods and settings. 

These little robots are great collectibles from 'Doctor Django's'

Check out Crosley's website for brilliant turntables

Can't tell these are fake right? I saved old wine/beer bottles for cute and cheap decor

This was a gift from last Easter, but really adds some cute to the room!

I love using a cake tier to hold my jewelry, you see everything you own straight away.
(Note the classic Russian childhood novels)

I recently bought these tulips for the bathroom and they are stunning!

The tv seemed a little plain, so I've prettied it up with some lovely flowers,
the stack of coffee table books adds a warm, home-like touch, as well as the little candle bowl.

In addition, I have been focusing on keeping my clothes in plain sight with the open-rack (to save money on clothes I already have!)

This is from Domayne home wares, 'Reddy Robe'

I'll write another post very soon!
Until then,

Mash it up
xx