Naugh-tea or Nice: Q&A with Monique of The Loose Leaf Tea House
Tea-lover Monique Lucas started The Loose Leaf Tea House in 2010, and has been cooking up delicious blends ever since.
Tea-lover Monique Lucas started The Loose Leaf Tea House in 2010, and has been cooking up delicious blends ever since. Monique handblends each and every one of our teas to make every cup memorable - from your regular morning 'pick you up' - through to those special tea moments that take you out of the everyday. She's an ever-present fixture at Nauti Studios, always ready for a chat over lunch or sharing some of her new concoctions.
Why tea?
I love the ritual of tea. I like that it’s a excuse to stop for a moment from our crazy lives. I find it really comforting if anyone is sick or down it’s always “I’ll make you a cup of tea”.
Tell us about how you make your teas! Do you blend them yourself, and how do you come up with the flavour combinations?
I have some traditional blends, such as English breakfast, but I try to blend most myself. I seem to go through phases of flavours, for example cinnamon was quite dominant in a few blends then it was orange, now rose. I am thinking lavender next…
What is your ultimate creative dream?
I would love to open a little tea store that’s floor to ceiling full of tea!
What do you use the space at Nauti Studios for?
I use the space as my office and where all our tea orders are processed.
What’s your favourite part about the space at Nauti?
The social aspect. There is a nice community here where we have lunch and afternoon tea together which makes for great breaks through out the day.
We have a ping pong table here at Nauti – are you any good?
I am ok, until we start scoring ;)
If you were a sea creature, which would you be?
Does a hippo count?
Finally, are you nauti or nice? ;)
I think I am nauti but in a nice way.
Vintage Tragic: Q&A with Amy of Minette's Vintage
A vintage montage is just what the doctor ordered. As a lover and appreciator of old things with character, of repairing beautiful old things rather than buying new, and as a genuinely warm hearted individual, Vintage Queen Amy Truslove is a perfect first blog interviewee…
Amy Truslove is the style queen behind Minette’s Vintage.
Minette’s is all about fashion, style and personal expression. She seeks out beautiful pieces for her collection, pieces that were made to last that she brings back to life for people to enjoy again. Minette’s has an ever-changing collection depending on what treasures Amy has found recently. Her collection ranges from vintage women’s wear, gentleman’s wear, pieces of furniture, homewares, jewellery, candles, scents and greeting cards.
Tell us about yourself and what you do!
My name is Amy and I am a vintage tragic/devotee. I love all things vintage and I love people, so it just makes sense that I have an online store that brings them together!
How did you get into vintage and retro clothing?
That’s a loaded question… probably growing up in a house full of antiques with a mother who taught me the joys of personal style and thrifting at a very early age.
I see clothing as a form of expression. An outfit to me is similar to a work of art – choosing the vibe, the inspiration to suit the mood, then the colours and the shapes and textures to suit, building layer upon layer to create just the right effect (and sometimes taking a layer or two off too...).
I prefer vintage clothing for many reasons – the colour palette, the designs, the (often) superior make, the eco footprint and the uniqueness. It is the antithesis of today’s fast fashion high street model which is not sustainable.
What is your ultimate creative dream?
To have a wardrobe the size of the Sydney Opera company’s filled to the brim with vintage clothing of all eras at my disposal!
Styling people is so much fun, showing them shapes and colours that really suit them that they would never have dreamed of putting on.
Tell us about upcycling! We know you work with accessories as well as clothes; what’s the typical process for you?
Upcycling is the process of taking one item and using it to create another, in whole or in part.
The beauty of this is that you can use broken items that would usually be headed for the bin and create totally new items – like our range of crochet dresses made from vintage tablecloths and doilies for example: Upcycled crochet shift dress
What do you use the space at Nauti Studios for?
I run my business from my private space and I shoot my products in the communal sunroom space.
What’s your favourite part about the space at Nauti?
Physically? The sunroom – it has the most amazing light. Spiritually? It’s the vibe man.
What would be your ultimate vintage outfit – ignoring cost!
Oooh, no one has ever asked me this…
Probably a perfect condition beaded flapper dress, with feather headpiece, double length string of black pearls and patent Mary Janes to Charleston the night away!
We have a ping pong table here at Nauti – are you any good?
No, I’m terrible! Mind you, I don’t play much which probably has something to do with it….
If you were a sea creature, which would you be?
Have you seen my messy locks? Mermaid for sure.
Finally, are you nauti or nice? ;)
A little from column A aaaaaand a little from column B. 😉