Life & CULT LOGIC Update: Photoset

Hey yo! Please forgive the lack of in-depth posts, I'm currently in the process of rebranding and redesigning my online store CULT LOGIC. I'm excited beyond words to release this new collection that I have curated - the designers I have on board are so incredibly inspired and talented. If you are a designer, I would LOVE for you to get in touch: I am always on the hunt scouting fashion forward, bold, statement pieces! 

The lighting in most of these photos is pretty awful (I'll have to start bringing my camera around), but here is a little of what's been going on in my life over the past couple weeks: 

Good Food Month's Night Noodle Markets, Sydney / October 2013

Art & About, Sydney / October 2013

View of Sydney Harbour from Vaucluse / October 2013

Hermit Bay, Vaucluse / October 2013

Matt Corby at the Hordern Pavillion, Moore Park / October 2013

Casey's 30th birthday at The Beresford, Surry Hills / October 2013

CULT LOGIC sneak peek, Sydney / October 2013

Alley street art off Oxford St, Sydney / October 2013

Saturday sesh at Sweethearts Rooftop BBQ, Potts Point / October 2013

Liana's 22nd birthday at Sweethearts, Potts Point / October 2013

My culinary prowess: veggie quinoa stir fry - recipe to come!

I promise to write you soon! To keep up to date with the happenings in my life, give us a follow on instagram @binkachu, and like the CULT LOGIC page on facebook for sneak peeks and updates!! Peace and love bitches xx

My Balinese Adventure Begins: The Bukit Peninsula

Paragliders sail over Pandawa Beach, The Bukit Peninsula / September 2013

Ten days ago I arrived in Bukit, a peninsula located on the southern end of Bali – it is an area still very much rich in culture and traditions, and remains yet to sell out in the way Kuta has. By chance (or as I prefer, by reason of the universe) I have had more of an authentic Balinese experience than many would even dare imagine. (I’m not just talking cold showers.)

I happened across accommodation (an eco-villa on a permaculture farm) in an untouched village where many inhabitants didn’t speak a word of English. I spent a lot of my time walking through the quiet villages reflecting on where I'm at and where I'm headed, I got a lot of reading and writing done and through meditation, I have managed to silent my thoughts for a good few minutes at a time! (Baby steps.) Testament to how little exposure some of these villages have to tourists, is the fact that every single day, I had groups of Indonesian people at the beach asking to take a photo with me. 

I was lucky enough to be invited to a Balinese style Hindu ceremony at Balangang beach. I quite literally felt as though I had been plucked from real life and placed into a scene from Eat Pray Love. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I took in all the bright colours, hypnotic music and endless offerings – it was so surreal and different to any kind of religious ceremony I have ever taken part in, but the energy was incredible and I too received cleansing and blessing.

EAT

Padang Padang Breeze – If I had to choose one dish to eat for the rest of my life, hands down I would choose the marinated mussels (which the menu should correctly amend to clams) from this restaurant. No moment in my entire life could compare to the sheer pleasure that my tastebuds experienced upon tasting this creation. The fish in Bali is always incredibly fresh along the coast, but this warung (or restaurant in English) takes it to another level.  I highly recommend ordering (and sharing only if you feel generous) one of the BBQ platters, which serve a variety of fish and crustaceans, accompanied with standard sides such as rice and incredibly delicious battered potatoes. The mojitos here go down a treat seeing as they are made with rum and NOT arak, and the staff were just delightful.

DO

Beach Hop – Some of the most pristine beaches I have ever seen can be found off the Bukit peninsula, and several are famous for their surf. Warungs along the beach will let you hire a beach chair and umbrella (don’t pay more than 25,000 rp), where you can sit and sip on a coconut (15,000 rp). Try to pay with the correct money because I have witnessed and experienced them running away with your cash and not bringing any change. Most weekends the locals will host a beach party, complete with reggae band, eclectic dj mix and bright lights – it feels a lot like a blue light disco. The beach parties are a heap of fun, you can buy beers (and mushrooms) – the locals or surfers can point you in the direction of which beach to visit on any given night.

I'll be spending the next ten days in Seminyak - my body is yearning for a little luxury and indulgence after what has been an intense few months! I will get some of the incredible photos from my time in Bukit up in the next few days, but for now: massages, sun tanning and cocktails await. xx

Vienna and Novalja: 10 Days in 10 Minutes

Hi.

The days have all started to merge into one and I can't remember what I ate for dinner yesterday, let alone what I was doing ten days ago. I'm currently in Berlin and getting ready to head out, but I've given myself ten minutes to semi-update your fine selves on Vienna and Novalja.

The gorgeous Volksgarten, Vienna / July 2013

Vienna - I wasn't sure what to expect of Vienna, as opinions of the city completely differed depending on who I spoke to. I loved that every street I crossed presented me with another magnificent architectural structure and that I never had to walk more than a couple hundred metres to find a spritzer. A highlight of my visit was walking across the city (literally, we walked 25km that day) towards what seemed to be some kind of giant chair-ride.... And stumbling across a theme park! Best day ever.

Eat at Mochi, the finest Japanese cuisine to delight my taste buds since leaving Sydney. (I take my Japanese food very seriously.) The wait staff were so attentive and friendly, and particularly enjoyed that I came back for a second visit. The food was literally bursting with flavour. And don't get me started on their wine list. Amazing. My heart hurts a little bit knowing that I have left this gem behind, but my wallet is relieved.

Drink anywhere along the Danube. Little bars are set up on the 'sand' banks, complete with beach chairs to enhance the summer vibe. Drinks are cheap and a few bars serve unlimited (I repeat, unlimited) shisha for only 12 euros. 

Novalja harbour at 6am, Novalja / July 2013

Novalja - After a whirlwind weeklong visit last year, Croatia holds such a special place in my heart. The Dalmatian coast is truly captivating and nothing has brought me as much joy as frolicking in the Adriatic Sea for quite some time. (Except maybe my awesome tan.) My daily 8pm ritual (before our partying madness) was to walk along the beach at sunset - it was so serene watching the sun slowly set with the sound of the tide crashing against the rocks. 

Visit the infamous Plaza Zrće, a spectacular beach inspired by the clubs of Ibiza and Mykonos. 4pm the after beach parties kick off at Aquarius, then kick on to Papaya or Noa where there is an awesome roster of DJs over Summer. Drinks are pricier than Novalja (so obviously that is where you should start your pre-drinking) but nothing like the prices you'd expect to pay at Space or Pacha.

Eat at Green Garden Restaurant. Order the strawberry and cheese salad to start, and a seafood dish for your main. Thank me later.

My ten minutes are well and truly up. I have an awesome few nights ahead here in Berlin, see you on the flip side ;) xx

Life's A Beach: Summer Swimwear I'm Lusting Over

Life's A Beach by binky-mirage featuring a black silk cardigan

Anna Sui black silk cardigan, 685 AUD / Shiny swimsuit, 225 AUD / Jeffrey Campbell sandals, 140 AUD / Kate Spade tote bag, 105 AUD / H&M wide brim hat, 14 AUD / H&M sunglasses, 10 AUD

It's 12pm in Porto and currently 34°C, and it's going to reach tops of 38°C. 
We had a big Friday night so the rest of my gang is still in bed, whilst I'm sitting here bikini-ready and
waiting to hit Gaia beach. I had nothing else to do this morning, and it's way too hot to lay around in our
bedroom, so here is some of the beachwear and accessories that I've fallen in love with!

I'm not sure why, but the colour white reminds me of expensive women on the French Riviera. For this
reason I love white clothes and accessories in Summer - not to mention they attract less heat and contrast
nicely with tanned skin!

I'm a big supporter of wearing printed bikini's with frills and embellishments - I figure you can use bold colours and patterns draw attention to the body parts that you favour and distract from those that you don't love quite as much (so if you love your bust but not your hips, wear a printed bikini top and plain bottoms!)


PS. Don't forget your hat and sunglasses when you're out in the sun to keep those dreaded sun-lines at bay! xx