prairie girl musings

Author: prairiegirlmusings

Simple Ways To Break Your Phone Addiction

It’s Sunday morning and I can’t remember the last weekend I spent without my phone. In fact, I often spend hours mindlessly scrolling through my social media feeds, sometimes over dinner or while watching a movie. Creating and posting new content is a weekend ritual, especially for bloggers who feel the pressure to constantly create.

As much as I love Instagram and all the inspiration it offers, it’s becoming increasingly time-consuming. Consistently posting, liking and commenting on all my favourite accounts means it’s all the more difficult to disconnect and spend time in the real world. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way, so here are a few easy ways to spend some time away from your phone:

Explore a new area of town
Leave your phone at home and go explore your city. Whether by foot or bike, heading out to see a different part of town is a surefire way to get the creative juices flowing. Have you been to the botanic gardens recently? Is there a new café you’ve been meaning to visit? Better yet, take a road trip to another city without the pressure to share the experience online.

Exercise
My workouts typically consist of runs around my neighbourhood or group classes at the gym. I’m always amazed by how great I feel after a sweat sesh; not only because of the endorphins but also the clarity from not having my phone surgically attached to me.

Unplug at the dinner table
As tempting as it is to order Uber Eats and watch Netflix, cooking a homemade meal is oh so satisfying. After months of feeling uninspired in the kitchen, Nick and I decided to give My Food Bag a whirl. We’ve both been loving the time spent preparing and savouring our meals. Dinnertime also feels more sacred when we spend more time preparing it, so neither of us want to reach for our phones.

Try Float Therapy
Floatation therapy helps reduce stress, repair muscles and offers quality time away from the screen. Read about my first floatation experience here.

At-Home Spa Night
While it’s nice booking in for a massage or facial, you don’t need to break the bank to pamper yourself. Spend a few hours on your skincare routine at home, have a bath or paint your nails. There are many affordable ways to disconnect and feel rejuvenated.

Are you addicted to your phone? What are your favourite ways to disconnect?

Photography by Jillian Miller

November 11, 2017
Float Therapy: Here’s What To Expect

With constant noise and distraction in our daily lives, it’s increasingly difficult to disconnect. Being constantly tethered to my device, both for work and personal reasons, I’ve often tossed up the idea of a digital detox. Float therapy is another option for those looking to carve out space to think and meditate without external distractions. It involves floating in 500KGs of epsom salts and thirty centimetres of water (heated precisely to our external body temperature).

I was kindly invited to try floatation at Cloud 9 Float Club. Despite some initial hesitation and outright fear, I decided to give it a whirl. I had read all about the benefits of float therapy, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving creativity and memory, and repairing muscles after intense exercise. It would be silly not to experience it for myself, right?

Nevertheless, with 60-undisturbed minutes of sensory deprivation in a seven-foot pod awaiting, I was slightly terrified. Where would my mind go? Would I fall asleep? I’m slightly claustrophobic, so I worried I would freak out as soon as I closed myself into the 7-foot tank…

As the Cloud 9 team explained, everyone’s experience is completely different and you’ll get exactly what you need out of a float. “Some people immediately fall asleep because that’s what their body requires while others’ minds will run wild.”

Fortunately, my fears quickly evaporated and I seemed to lose all sense of space and time while I was floating. Focusing on my breath, my body slowly relaxed and space felt infinite. I decided to have my hands bent above my head (like goddess pose in yoga) as it was recommended for those with tight necks/upper backs. At first, I felt like I was floating along a river, and then through space with the worries of the day disintegrating. Meditation has never been easy for me, but in a flotation tank, focusing was the only option.

To ease you into the float, you’ll hear ten minutes of light music before 45-minutes of silence and five minutes easing you back at the end of your float. After 60-minutes of me time, Cloud 9 has plenty of all-natural bath products to help you wash away the salt and carry on with your day.

Post-float, you may want to write down your thoughts, sit on one of Cloud 9’s comfy chairs to process, or head straight home – again, everyone is different. Rather than give everything away, I urge you to try float therapy for yourself.

I hope I’ve answered any questions (and concerns) you may have about float therapy. Please leave me a comment below if you’ve ever tried flotation, I’d love to hear about your experience!

November 6, 2017
Why I Quit My Full-Time Job

Some of you may know (from my recent Instagram posts) that I’ve recently quit my day job at a creative agency.

The decision was a long time coming (like it is for so many creatives and freelancers), but that didn’t make it any less terrifying. I learnt so much in 18 months at Plato Creative and my last day was exactly a week ago. I couldn’t stop the tears at my send-off and it still feels a bit surreal. It’s hard leaving a secure, traditional career to pursue something less stable. At the end of the day, I need time to focus on projects that get me out of bed in the morning.

On that note, you’ll may notice a few more #ads and #sponsored posts on my blog and Instagram. I will always disclose whether a post has been paid for as an advertisement because I think it’s important to be honest in such an unregulated industry. I’m very selective and only work with brands and causes I actually stand behind. That said, I need to pay my bills in order to keep doing what I love on a full-time basis.

Blogging and creating content full-time has been on my mind since before I moved to Christchurch two years ago! It feels a bit magical to be finally in the position to make my dreams a reality. I already have a few exciting projects up my sleeve and will be freelancing part-time to a company I’ve admired FOREVER, Brown Bread. It’s a B Corp that uses business to solve social and environmental issues. I’m still pinching myself about the projects I’m working on.

Please feel free to email me at vanessaortynsky@gmail.com if you have any questions, or if you think you might be interested in working together! I’m always on the lookout for interesting projects and assignments, so please get in touch!

Thanks for following along as I navigate this unfamiliar territory!

November 2, 2017
5 Reasons To Book A Flight To Adelaide

A trip to Adelaide seems to inspire perplexity and questions like, “oh, what made you want to visit?” and “what’s there to do there?”. This South Australian destination isn’t at the top of most travellers’ bucket lists, but it should be.

Often overlooked in favour of other Australian destinations, Adelaide is, without a doubt, a must-visit city. I could go into great detail about all the things that make Adelaide wonderful, but I’ll focus on the top five; highlighting some of the activities we enjoyed during our extended long weekend.

Food & Wine

The food and wine capital of Australia, Adelaide’s food scene is one of the best in the world. Much like the city itself, it’s relaxed, diverse and appeals to foodies of all strokes. Whether you’re after excellent brunch, a long lunch or rooftop drinks, Adelaide does it all without missing a beat.

Unlike Sydney and Melbourne, where dining out can take hours (after all, you’ll need to wait in line for those hotcakes), Adelaide’s culinary scene is chill AF. Trendy restaurants lack pretension and always have space. Some of our favourite meals were at the following establishments:

Crack Kitchen: Ok, the name is great. Now, that we have that out of the way, I’ll focus on the food, coffee and interiors. Tiled counters, two espresso machines and ample natural light, you’ll look this café the moment you step inside. The food ranges from breakfast burgers to healthy breakfast bowls. You’re sure to love it.

Public: Across the street from Crack Kitchen, you’ll find Public. This spacious CBD café and function space has quality breakfast options. Sit at one of the marble-top booths to set yourself up for the perfect #breakfastflatlay.

Fleur & Brew: A florist/coffee shop, what more could one want? This cosy corner café is only a stone’s throw from the Adelaide Central Market.

Adelaide Central Market: Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market gave me unrealistic standards when it comes to city markets, but Adelaide’s Central Market managed to impress me. Here, you’ll find rows and rows of fresh produce, delicious breakfast stalls, fresh pastries, nuts, cured meats, the list goes on… Everything you need to stock up for the flight home (just make sure you consume it all before biosecurity!)

Taste the Barossa: We were fortunate to spend a day exploring Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, which I’ll write more about in my next blog post – stay tuned! Needless to say, it’s one of the main reasons to visit Adelaide!

Other favourite include: Pink Moon Saloon (it’s a must-visit cocktail bar), Midnight Spaghetti (huge portions and the best Aperol Spritz I’ve tasted!), Clever Little Tailor (gorgeous old bar with excellent negronis and craft beer), 2KW (the best rooftop bar and view in Adelaide!) and Boneshaker, which had the best burgers I’ve ever tasted (better than Shake Shack, even!)

Cycling

While there were a few bike lanes in the city, we were even more impressed by the number of dockless share bikes around the city. Obike and Ofo have recently launched; if you download the app, using these systems is a handy way of getting from point A to B. We loved biking from coffee to lunch to drinks, cycling along the river and exploring noteworthy sights.

Public Transport

Adelaide’s public transport is hugely under appreciated, but both Nick and I were amazed by the number of buses available across the city. Nick stopped several times to take photos of thirteen or fourteen buses lined up along the streets. The city itself is laid out in a fairly rational grid network. Conveniently, the airport is close to the city – about 15 minutes by bus with frequent connections.

Glenelg Beach

While not known for its beaches, a trip to Adelaide isn’t complete without a tram ride to Glenelg. This seaside town is absolutely gorgeous; lined with palm trees and miles and miles of clear, blue water. Glenelg’s community is lovely as well – with mom and pop shops, cafés and cornershops lining every street. Stop by Superette for a coffee and other sundries before walking along the pier or dipping your toes in the sea.

Nature and Wildlife

No trip to Adelaide is complete without venturing outside the city to experience the beautiful Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley. On our way to the Barossa Valley, we saw families of kangaroos and emus. South Australia is one of the driest regions in the world. Two years ago, Adelaide Hills experienced two weeks of bushfires, which destroyed 80 homes and killed a lot of wildlife. Fortunately, a monsoon arrived from Darwin before more damage could take place. A lot of the wildlife is now returnin and houses are being rebuilt.

Another day trip option is to Kangaroo Island; one the most beautiful parts of South Australia. Over a third of the island is protected in nature reserves, home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to Kangaroo Island this time around, but it’s definitely on my list for my next trip to Adelaide.

So, there you have it, five reasons to get yourself over to Adelaide ASAP! Let me know if you’ve ever visited and what your first impressions were.

October 28, 2017
What Fable Brings To The Table

Fable is a local store with a purpose. The carefully curated second-hand shop offers a vintage shopping experience not found anywhere else in Christchurch (or even New Zealand). Owners Sarah Gunn and Meagan Veitch saw a gap in the market for affordable, good quality second-hand items after seeing the incredible level of vintage shopping in America. Rather than simply creating more landfill – the girls wanted to repurpose existing clothing, giving it a new lease on life.

South Town is quickly evolving into the coolest place in town and Fable plays an integral role in that transformation. The pop-up shop won’t be around forever, though there may be plans to relocate to a super cool spot in Sydenham. Fable sells second-hand clothing (including handmade baby knits) and homeware, gifts, and books.

There’s a big focus on giving back to the organisations and charities they buy from: the Salvation Army, Red Cross, St. Vincent De Paul, St John, SPCA, and Lyttelton Community Project to name a few. When selecting items for Fable, Meagan and Sarah shop exclusively at organisations that help the community – where the profits are invested back into what they support.

Pop into Fable on 24 Welles Street to say hi to the girls (they are the loveliest!) And stay tuned for our upcoming collaboration.

All photos by Nancy Zhou

October 18, 2017
Let Them Eat Cake

There’s no better way to celebrate a special occasion than with birthday cake and ice cream. I’m crazy about birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations of all sorts. With my birthday on the horizon (okay, two months away), I’ve partnered with Tip Top to create a celebratory dessert bowl with all the fixings! No matter how old you are, this celebratory bowl is a delicious way to commemorate your special day.

This dessert is perfect for those who want the best of both worlds; those who want to have their cake and eat it (with ice cream), too!

BIRTHDAY CAKE ICE CREAM BOWL

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

8 scoops of Tip Top Birthday Cake Swirl
1 cup of fresh strawberries
1-3 pinches of multi-coloured sprinkles (because you can never have enough!)
2 waffle cones (break and serve deconstructed)
Chocolate or caramel sauce (optional)
As many candles as you’d like!

METHOD

Cut strawberries in half, removing leaves.

Place 8 scoops of Tip Top Birthday Cake Swirl ice cream into 2 bowls (go on, treat yourself!) Arrange strawberries, sprinkles and deconstructed waffle cone pieces around the ice cream, top with chocolate or caramel sauce, and blow out your candles!

This post was created in partnership with Tip Top, but all opinions are my own.

October 14, 2017
In My Backyard

Earlier this year, a man came to the door to inform us that there would be some disturbance going on next door. Apartment units were being constructed for Housing New Zealand and apparently a few of our neighbours were less than impressed that social housing was going up next to their properties. This pervasive attitude is known as NIMBYisim (not in my backyard), whereby someone may not be principally opposed to housing developments, bicycle lanes or public transport infrastructure, schools or playgrounds but simply don’t want them located anywhere near their property. Of course, if everyone held this view, essential public services and infrastructure would never be built and society would collectively be worse off.

We’ve lived in the inner city for nearly two years and are delighted whenever there’s new development in the area. The most vibrant, dynamic cities thrive in spite of NIMBYism, which I aim to explain in my blog post on what makes cities great.

When choosing a charity to support, I looked to issues in my community. What could I offer my city’s most vulnerable? Prior to purchasing our first home, Nick and I lived next door to the Christchurch City Mission. Now merely blocks away, we’re witnessing new social housing units and a women’s shelter popping up right next door.

When I found out about the Christchurch City Mission’s Sunday Lunch, I wanted to get involved. I love food (don’t we all?) and know that access to fresh, nutritious food is a basic human right. I could see the great work the Mission was doing to bring food to those who would otherwise go without. These individuals work tirelessly to support those who need it most. The annual Sunday Lunch is a win-win, offering locals the chance to sample a three-course meal by one of the city’s top chefs. There’s also an auction and entertainment – everyone who’s involved is volunteering their time and skills to the City Mission with all proceeds going back to the community. This year’s lunch raised thousands.

During lunch, Matthew Mark, the Christchurch City Missioner spoke about what a privilege it was to be able to serve the community. Each year, the mission provides a range of services to thousands of people in the community. Yet, it is only through the generosity of the wider community that the work can continue. This paradox stands out as a lens to view what is unfolding in cities across the country. For various reasons, people fall on hard times and require support. Sadly, it’s becoming more common to see this need in our community. In order to make positive change, we need a bit of collective YIMBYisim (yes, in my backyard). To say no to homelessness in our backyard, we need to say yes and be more welcoming and supportive of organisations like the CM.

I used to think I needed to make a certain amount of money or reach a certain age before I could give back in a meaningful way. I’ve since learnt that charity is about awareness and compassion. It’s about acknowledging that it’s a privilege for us to be able to give back to our communities and we can do so in many different ways.

If anything, I hope this inspires you find your cause. Giving is about more than monetary worth, so give your time, your energy, your voice. And if you’re looking for a worthy cause or would like to learn more about the services offered by the Christchurch City Mission, click here.

October 8, 2017
Ballantynes Fashion Week: Clothing with a conscience

With fashion weeks taking place all over the world at the moment, Ballantynes got in on the action and hosted an exciting calendar of events for Christchurch fashion lovers. The weeklong festivities included a runway show, Q&As with New Zealand designers, shopping events and Huffer’s 20th birthday party.

I was lucky to be invited along to an intimate soirée hosted in the Contemporary Lounge with the designers behind Twenty Seven Names and Harman Grubiša. I’ve long been a fan of Twenty Seven Names, particularly for their well-made, timeless garments that eschew trends and stand the test of time. Madeleine Harman and Jessica Grubiša of Harman Grubiša are newer on the scene, but have quickly cemented their role as fashion powerhouses. Since their show at NZFW last year, they’ve been making waves in the international fashion communities, recently winning the prestigious Woolmark Award.

The evening started off with cocktails and canapés before delving into the interview with Rachel, Madeleine and Jessica. Along with viewing favourite pieces from their new collections, they spoke about their friendships (they both went into business with their best friend), finding inspiration and ethical fashion. I loved hearing their stories about finding creativity and beauty in everything and how hard they work. “If it were easy, everyone would do it,” Twenty Seven Names has recently celebrated ten years in business and Rachel discussed how difficult the first few years were as a new business. “It’s nice to now be at a point where we’ve checked off all the goals we set out for ourselves at the beginning,” she says. All three girls were down to earth and easy to talk to, which is always refreshing in the fashion industry.

New Zealand-made garments are often expensive, which can be deterring to those on a budget. However, affordability and cheap clothes come at a cost, not only to the environment but to labourers and employees. Both Harman Grubiša and Twenty Seven Names pieces are made with high quality materials and everyone they employ is paid a reasonable, living wage. Sustainability is integral to both companies and they both use recycled materials and wastage in their pieces. They also design clothes that last for years, which makes the investment worthwhile.

I’ve always loved how Ballantynes, especially the Contemporary Lounge stocks and supports New Zealand designers. Having to save a bit longer and buy fewer items is one way to consume a little more consciously while supporting local makers and creatives.

All photos by Nancy Zhou.

September 24, 2017
Let’s Meet At Welles Street!

If there’s one type of cuisine I haven’t seen enough of in Christchurch, it’s Greek. Fortunately, Welles Street (located on 44 Welles Street in Central Christchurch), is serving up a modern take on Greek eats. More than just souvlaki, the carefully considered menu incorporates a range of mouthwatering items: everything from rotisserie chicken to baklava soft serve. During the day, Welles Street will be pouring Flight Coffee from a coffee bar at the front of the property. At night, you’ll find a wide range of beer, wine and cocktails as well as margaritas on tap. Need I say more?

The spacious yet sleek beer hall is characterised by high ceilings, forest green subway tile counters and plenty of seating. There are some excellent neon signs and the bathrooms are well worth a visit. Trust me. You’ll receive a text when your order’s ready, which allows you to catch up with friends instead of hovering around the till (genius!)

Striking the perfect balance between indoor and outdoor flow, the bar and eatery is sure to become Christchurch’s favourite summer spot. It’s an industrial warehouse in the middle of Christchurch city, and you’ll need to experience it for yourself.

All photos by Nancy Zhou.

September 6, 2017
A Short Guide To Ponsonby

Nowhere in Auckland has as many excellent eateries, quality cafés and beautiful boutiques as Ponsonby. The affluent suburb is synonymous with style and one would be remiss to visit the City of Sails without spending some time here. When I was studying in Auckland, I dreamt of renting a small villa in Ponsonby amongst the trendy bars and restaurants and often visited between lectures.

On a recent trip up for New Zealand Fashion Week, we cycled from our Britomart base up the (very steep) hill to Ponsonby Road. Here, we spent the day eating, shopping and drinking. Shayden (of Mooch Style) was especially fond of all the homeware shops, whereas Robyn (Anywhere I Roam Photography) and I loved exploring all the fashion boutiques. This quick guide covers my favourite spots for eating, drinking and shopping in this well-heeled suburb.

Eat

I’ve talked (and Instagrammed) about Orphans Kitchen in the past, but it’s an unbeatable spot for coffee, crumpets and other bites. The café is influenced by Oceania and New Zealand’s national identity. The menu changes regularly, but is always absolutely spectacular.

Dizengoff is a well-known café that does fantastic breakfast and coffee. Eighthirty and AllPress are top picks options for excellent coffee. Otherwise, venture to Little Bird Unbakery for something plant-based and healthy.

For lunch, I can’t go past Burger Burger, which has Auckland’s best burgers in a relaxed laneway off the main drag. Their Ponsonby location was their first, but have since opened outposts in Newmarket and Takapuna. Another favourite is Blue Breeze Inn, a spacious eatery and bar that serves an array of Modern Pacific Chinese cuisine. Their baos are, hands down, the best I’ve had in New Zealand and the steamed dumplings are also worth mentioning. Robyn and I couldn’t resist fresh coconuts to ease our hangovers from the previous night.

Shop

You really can’t go wrong with any of the shopping in Ponsonby – all the established designers (Karen Walker, Juliette Hogan, Kate Sylvester, Deadly Ponies, Lonely, Miss Crabb, the list goes on) have set up shop here. You’ll also find one-off boutiques and excellent homewares shops. Mooch Style will be sharing a homeware guide in the coming days, so stay tuned for that!

My personal favourite is The Shelter, which features a curated yet eclectic mix of New Zealand and international designers and an in-house café. If you’re in need of a hair cut or colour, Stephen Marr and D&M Hair Design are your best bets. Both have won an array of hairdressing awards and you’ll leave feeling amazing. I’m super neurotic about my haircuts and rarely trust anyone other than Mary who has been doing my hair (in Winnipeg, Canada) for years! I can book into either of these two salons and feel completely at ease knowing my hair is in good hands.

Thanks for the bikes, Grand Mercure!

Drink

Start your evening at Mea Culpa, one of Ponsonby Road’s most established and respected cocktail bars. According to manager, Ifan, Mea attracts a mixed, often older crowd. It’s the place for awkward first dates and secret meet ups. The menu changes weekly, which allows the bar staff to hone their craft. They’ve won more awards to count yet the small establishment lacks pretension often associated with the area. We start off with two weekly cocktails, Hemingway’s Daiquiri (sugar-free because he was diabetic) and a Pamplemousse which consisted of gin, Aperol, grapefruit liqueur and cordial, lemon and rhubarb bitters. It was delicious! Afterwards, Shayden tries his first-ever negroni and loves it (three sips in…) The bar is known for the boozy cocktail and it’s easy to see why.

Venture up the road to Fhlotson Paradise, which is a nineties-themed bar with a pink neon sign, lush greenery and an extensive cocktail menu. My third drink in, I’ve fallen head over heels for the Vanilla Ice… Tea. It’s perfectly balanced, boozy and sweet. Far more spacious than Mea, it’s a great spot for catching up with mates and the music here ranges from Hanson to T.L.C. On weeknights, they have karaoke. Count me in.

Keen on a boogie? Revelry is a fun option for those looking for a dance floor but don’t want to compromise on impeccably poured drinks.

If you’re after some day drinking, I’m a fan of Bedford Road Soda & Liquor for their outlandish cocktails served in quirky vessels.

This will take you to the end of your day of shopping, eating and drinking in Ponsonby. What are your favourite spots for all the above? Let me know if you’d like more of these types of guides.

September 3, 2017