Stayin’ Sustainable
- Words by Peppermint
The juggernaut that is Melbourne’s Sustainable Living Festival just keeps growing and growing – at this rate we’re thinking of scheduling annual leave for two weeks next February! And while sustainability is a serious issue, there is lots of fun to be had during this Stayin’ Alive-themed event, which runs from 8-23 February and is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Single ladies (and men!) can find a partner at Bohemian Speed Dating, and everyone’s welcome to get on their bikes for a Look.Stop.Shop tour of sharing sites around the city or rock up for a Silent Disco walking tour in St Kilda. The Green Market is always a festival highlight, and if you’re inspired by the yummy food from the many stalls there you might like to check out how to grow produce in your own back yard. And speaking of your own back yard, with local and regional Victorian councils like Geelong, Boroondara and Darebin hosting their own SLFs at the same time, you might not even have to travel into the big smoke to get in on some green action.
Also don’t miss the Transitions Film Festival that’s screening during the Sustainable Living Festival. Film topics include the growing disconnect between children and nature; urban farming; fracking; the many uses of hemp past, present and future; and the reactions of children in Peru’s isolated Amazon region on experiencing the World Wide Web for the first time. And with speakers such as the Oaktree Foundation’s Viv Benjamin and Who Gives a Crap’s Simon Griffiths introducing the flicks, a night out at the movies just got a whole lot more interesting. So open up the SLF site and jot down some dates in your diary – the next fortnight’s going to be big!
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Hang out with us on Instagram
A dotty dream! Our Sewing Manager @Laura_The_Maker walks us through her gorgeous version of the Waratah Wrap Dress ✨
“The @PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintWaratahWrapDress has entered the chat and she’s a real beauty!!!
The weeks leading into the festive season are flat out so in case you missed the launch of this glorious pattern let me show her to you!
Nice ease through the bodice and cuffed dolman sleeves, good coverage across the front but with that classic wrap dress v-neck shape we love, giving you freedom to decide how deep the v is. A slight empire waistband makes for a smooth drop to the hem and the fabulous centred pleats give shape and fullness, front and back. Does she have pockets? Obviously, we’re not animals. The stand out feature is the underlay which wraps all the way around from one hip to the other, ensuring you’re not having to readjust or hold the skirt shut on gusty days. The waist tie is long enough to go all the way around and tie at the centre back too, if that’s your style!
Sewn in the most darling pale pink and polka dot linen from my local fave bricks and mortar store Johnos Fabric Centre (they have no insta account) in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, Gubbi Gubbi land. If you’re ever up my way write this place into your itinerary, it’s a must stop shop!
A truly fabulous pattern (I’ve already made 2) and a classic wardrobe staple with a difference. 💕
Earrings are me made. 💅
Note: I absolutely don’t need another husband and I have a ring but I love the energy in this track!”
#WrapDress #LinenDress #MidiLengthDress #PeppermintPatterns
It’s all a lot, isn’t it?
We weren’t designed to carry this much emotional grief and world-wide trauma on an ongoing basis. Just know you’re not alone. It’s ok to not be ok. 🫶🏻
Image from @PeopleIveLoved: “I am not sure my tiny brain was meant to understand this enormous grief.”
“We love that we can bring a hint of imagination and whimsy into everyday life by making ordinary objects fun. We’ve learned to appreciate the little wins and to take a moment for each step we achieve.”
Disillusioned by the realities of fast fashion, design grads Emily May and Sidonie Moore ditched clothing for a business that finds fun in the everyday. Enter @TheNonsenseMaker: a collection of unique homewares, fun wall art, greeting cards and more that breathe life into Emily’s illustrations: “I love the idea of taking real-world objects and changing your perspective in a way that brings magic and whimsy into everyday life!”
In issue 64’s feature ‘It all makes sense’, we chat to the Naarm/Melbourne-based duo about their sustainability philosophy, TV re-runs and their commitment to local makers. At stockists now!
Photos: @MeAndMyGirl
#PeppermintMagazine #TheNonsenseMaker #LocalMakers #SustainableCraft
Any New Year’s resolutions on your list? We love this from @OtterBeeStitching - “be brave enough to suck at something new”.
There’s no points for perfection, but you’ll get a trophy for trying. If nothing else this year, take the leap and try something new.
#OtterBeeStitching #Embroidery #BeBrave #TrySomethingNew #EmbroideryArt
Sunday serving suggestion ☀️
Gorgeous photos from @JolieFemmeStore - who make sweet garments from vintage bedsheets.
#PeppermintMagazine #SlowSunday #SwitchOff #Unplug #ReadAMagazine
A toast to the old you 🥂
We wholeheartedly love this post from the brilliant @EmilyOnLife:
“2026: Reinvent, burn it down, let it go (whatever it is). Year of the Snake it up. Exercise your boundaries, exercise your body, take one teeny step every day towards a life that feels better to be in.
But don’t you dare shit on your old self while you do it.
Hold yourself with reverence and tenderness and respect, because you got you this far. You did your very best with the information and tools you had at the time. You scraped yourself together, you made it work, you survived what felt impossible to survive: again and again and again.
You are perpetually in the process of becoming, whether you can feel it or not, whether or not you add it to your 2026 to-do list.“
