New and old wallets, eco kitchen essentials and smoothie recipes

Wherein I realise I've owned my wallet longer than I've been in a long-term relationship.

Nov 02, 2022

Editor – Phoebe Tully

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I’m not one to lie on a beach as soon as it’s mildly warm enough, but I have to say: wearing a woollen jumper in November feels like a rip-off.

Where I live, the weekend was actually idyllic – a pastries and dog walks in the park sort of idyllic – and then it descended into cold snap madness. I made a hot water bottle last night! I had to go and find my slippers again! Last week I wrote three paragraphs on the joy of swapping over your wardrobe, and here I was, reversing my efforts just one week later.

But back to the weekend: it was one of those weekends you don’t think to Instagram because it’s perfect and Instagram would ruin it. There’s a Turkish word – keyif – that perfectly summarises this. It’s mostly translated to “pleasure” but it’s supposed to capture a feeling: that delicious feeling of happily doing nothing. It’s idle pleasure, suspending a moment in time and savouring it. Capturing a moment of keyif on Instagram is to defy the very nature of keyif.

And so when the weather sorts itself out, I’m planning to infuse my spring days with more keyif. More moments just doing nothing in particular, and not worrying about the fact that I’m doing nothing. Going for a walk with no real destination or time slot in mind. Picking up a book, only to discard it a few minutes later and stare out the window. Curling up on the couch with a drink for a long, meandering chat about nothing. What’s your version?

Money, money, money.

I have had my current wallet for longer than I’ve had my current partner… which is almost 10 years. Both of those facts are kind of alarming.

This wallet has holding capacity for 22 cards, plus cash, plus coins, plus several pockets for other bits and pieces. Receipts? Junk? Who knows. It’s a titan of the industry, this wallet, and it has held up remarkably well. But no one really needs such a hefty piece of equipment these days. I am ready to downsize and get over my hatred of folded notes.

Here are some great card wallets I’ve had my eye on:

Country Road’s cute credit card purse ($) holds five cards and has a little pocket for anything else
Polene’s card holders ($$) have two simple exterior pockets and one central interior pocket – so simple, so chic, and the colours are divine
Sans Beast’s recycled vegan card wallet ($$) includes a little pocket
Oroton’s wristlet wallet ($$$) is perfect for those who aren’t quite ready to break up with their big wallets and perfectly flat notes
Maison de Sabré pebbled leather card cases ($$$) come in great, rich colours

Hey mate, great wrap.

There are more and more ways to replace GladWrap in the kitchen, but try as I might, there’s a few applications where it’s still my go-to. I’m sorry, really. I use my beeswax wraps as much as possible, and pop things into containers where I can – but what about storing sourdough slices in the freezer? What about chilling biscuit dough before rolling it into balls?

I was therefore SO excited about Great Wrap ($), an Australian brand that’s developed a home compostable alternative that’s made from potato waste. Yes it’s more expensive than GladWrap. It should be! GladWrap is evil. They’ve recently released Great Mate ($), which is a dispenser for Great Wrap and made from recycled plastic bottles. Together they cost $35, and I think everyone is getting one of these for Christmas.

Question: The weather feels right for smoothies again. What are some go-tos full of good stuff that I can feel smug about drinking?

Smoothies have been on my mind lately but I was kind of bored with the ones I made last time it was warm enough to drink them. Here are three I’ve been playing around with.

For a tropical, fruity smoothie, start by making a chia gel by combining 2 tbsp chia seeds with 4 tbsp water, and then leave it for 10 minutes. Blitz 2 cups coconut water + 1 3⁄4 cups fresh/frozen mango chunks + 1⁄2 avocado + 1 tbsp chia gel + 2 tsp vanilla + 1/4 tsp ground turmeric + 1 tbsp mint leaves and a pinch of salt.

If berries are more your thing, blitz 1 cup frozen raspberries + 1 cup almond milk + 1/4 avocado + 1 small handful of mint + a pinch of salt and ice cubes. Add a tablespoon of collagen, such as The Beauty Chef's COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost if you have it.

Or get a massive boost of greens by blitzing 2 cups fresh spinach + 1 cup unsweetened coconut water + 1 peeled orange + 2 cups frozen mango chunks + 1 cup pineapple chunks + juice of 1/2 lime and a pinch of salt.

Santé! (Literally.)

Email me your questions for inclusion in next week’s newsletter. Just hit reply and ask away. I have strong opinions about many things.

DO | Now there’s actually sun trying to shine through them, it’s a good time to fastidiously clean your windows. Either grab a bottle of something pre-made or make your own glass cleaner using 1 part vinegar to 1 part water and a few drops of lemon essential oil. Apply with a spray bottle and clean away with a microfibre cloth or old newspaper to avoid streaks.

MAKE | a batch of preserved lemons with the cheap citrus you can currently find at greengrocers. Make more than you think you need. It’s addictive. And a great gift.

READ | Charlotte's Web – E.B. White

WATCH | Mahogany (1975)

LISTEN | Take To The Sky – Kat Edmonson