Pete Courtney

One night in Dublin, I think it was the year 2000, I ran into Pete in Slattery’s Bar and our chat went something like this-

Pete : “Hey do ya wanna come sing on a song I’m recording?”

Kojii: “Eh – yeah!”

Next thing I know I have my guitar strapped to my back and we’re walking through the wet streets of Dublin to a small flat over-run by recording equipment.

I remember hearing the lyrics for the first time and feeling so calm, happy and sad at the same time. I was very aware of my cold fingers, rain soaked face and my toes that were freezing thanks to the gaping holes in my old converse. The ends of my flares were drenched to the knees but I loved every moment singing this with him.

It still makes me happy to hear this song.

So I’d like to share it with you all.

Sit back – close your eyes and open your ears

I don’t have a photo of Pete and I, so all I can share is this one of myself and the ‘oul Martin guitar from that same year. I was playing one of my own songs on stage in Molloy’s Pub at Christchurch in Dublin, if memory serves me correct.

Today I would like to share a little piece of the work I’ve done with them so far.

Recently I met with Project Runway winner, Designer, Musician and Dad – Jeffrey Sebelia. We chatted about parenting and his new kids clothing label La Miniatura in between shooting an amazing spread with Photographer Allan Barnes.

Be sure to subscribe to Aphotic’s Mailing List (in the sidebar over there —->>>) so you can get your copy of this interview when it’s released in April.

Until then – enjoy this little teaser film I shot, directed and edited – to get you in the mood

Much Love

KH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_ynqkWzl1c

Hair by Sirene Evans,

Make- up by Gabrielle Melville

What is an “Alternative Parenting Magazine” you ask?

It’s a magazine aimed at people who are artists, musicians, tattooed, creative and so on but who also happen to be parents. I found when I was pregnant and even now that I have two small kids, that don’t identify with much of the content in regular parenting mags. I don’t like to buy pink all the time or generic brands. I didn’t want a traditional Baby Shower, birth, toys. I like to mix it up. Think outside the box (insert your funny Pizza Hut comment here )

I found there was nothing I could read that spoke to me about the topic I was immersed in – Parenting.

When Brit Bentine, Editor at Aphotic Mag emailed me and told me she was working on Issue 1, I immediately thought – this is what I’ve been looking for! I offered to help in anyway I could.

Now, here I am working as Fashion Editor on Aphotic’s second issue due out in April.

I’m excited about the possibilities.

I aim to remind people that just because we look Gothic, edgy, rock n’ roll, wear studded belts, have funky haircuts, have tattoos, piercings and make our money following our creative dreams – it does not mean we love our kids any less or are better/worse parents.

Please click the image below to get your copy of Issue One and go to www.AphoticMag.com to keep up to date on upcoming issues. You can even sign up for Aphotic’s newsletter right over there  —-> on my sidebar.

Get notified of each upcoming issue release straight to your inbox.

And as always my loves – Please spread the word.

Much Love

KH

Yes. I’m in a Pizza Hut commercial.

Yes. I sing this ridiculously catchy song. (I sang it in my sleep for a week haha)

No. I didn’t write it!

It was a fun shoot and I had an awesome time working with the entire team.

For those of you who say I “sold out” – a girl’s gotta pay the bills and commercials pay just nicely thank you – don’t hate!

Much love to ya!

K

I always promise to share a post once a week but then I disappear into the abyss of Mamahood and work for months on end.

Well, here I am stealing 5 minutes while the baby naps, on the first day off I’ve had in ages. I should probably be cleaning my loft, but in my defense the laundry is ON so I’m having a cup of tea and a wee chat to y’all on here.

I can’t share all the wonderful work I’ve been doing lately as it hasn’t been released yet. I can however share this little scene with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O77cQXZTTbo

While I was in Ireland I had the opportunity to join a Scene Study Workshop at The Actor’s Place in Dublin. It was my pleasure to work with one of my favourite Irish Directors, Jason Figgis and to meet actresses Joan Fleetwood and Mary Callaghan.

We shot a short and the scene above in record time.

Seriously, if you’re in Dublin and want to keep your acting cogs turning get your arse into The Actor’s Place.

Tell them I sent ya!

Feel free to peruse the oul video section here on my site – it’s filling up and there’s heaps more to come.

Happy Thursday my friends!

price range 1 ($1800 $1260).
approx. image size 39″ x 31″.   Signed, limited edition #1/10:

"Olympic Blvd I"

"2nd Street Tunnel"

"LA Public Library"

"LA Times & City Hall I"

"LA Times & City Hall II"

"Olympic Blvd II"

"Central Avenue"

"4th and Beaudry"

price range 2 ($800 $560).
Prints are approx. image size 30″ x 20″.   Signed, limited edition of 10.  These prints are beautifully mounted on thick plexiglass, ready to hang on your wall:

"Three Little Pigs" (triptych)

"Down the Rabbit Hole"

"Pandora"

"Eternal Love"

"Sunbathing Mermaid"

"Faerie"

"Amazon"

"Amaterasu" (Shinto Sun Goddess)

"Rapunzel"

"Bride of Frankenstein"

"Thumbelina's End"

Lavender is:

• • analgesic (relieves pain)
    • anti-inflammatory
    • antiseptic
    • antispasmodic
    • antiviral
    • balancing
    • cooling
    • detoxifying
    • fungicidal
    • relaxing
    • sedative
    • tonic
    • uplifting

It is effective for use on all skin types and conditions – balances sebum in oily skin, promotes cell growth and rapid healing for scars and stretch marks, antiseptic for insect bites and stings, burns, sunburns, wounds, healing for dermatitis and psoriasis.

It eases skeletal conditions such as rheumatism, and is great for soothing muscles and relieves aches and sprains.

Lavender is beneficial for the circulatory system. It lowers high blood pressure and other stress-related conditions such as palpitations.

It’s wonderful for balancing emotions and can lift depression. It’s been known to relieve stress, insomnia, anxiety and relieves headaches, migraines, tension and shock.

It even helps the respiratory system – it relaxes breathing, eases bronchitis, laryngitis and has an antiviral effect on flu and colds.

If you remember only one thing….

The WHOLE body can benefit from lavender.

So as you can see, one little bottle of Organic Lavender Essential Oil is really one big bottle of holistic magic.

Tips for Buying Essentials Oils: When buying your Lavender Essential Oil be sure you buy organic and read the ingredients. In the past I’ve accidentally purchased oils only to later discover they’re not pure and have been mixed with other oils.

N.B. Essential Oils should not be abused. LESS is MORE in this case, treat Essential Oils like medicine and keep out of reach from children. Be sure to research the correct amounts to use and consult a licensed aromatherapist if in doubt. I will be posting a “How to use safely” article soon.

Be sure to Subscribe HERE so you don’t miss out.

I guess they find it interesting because they know I’m an advocate for Chemical Free/Natural EVERYTHING. I also don’t like to spend a freakin’ fortune on “stuff” and do what I can on a budget.

There are so many reason’s for finding cosmetic products that are chemical/toxin/paraben free. All of which I’ll attempt to explain in future posts (if you can’t wait get googling now!).

However the point to this post is to simply share the products I do use and how.

Starting with Make-up Removal, here goes.

When I’m removing my make-up at the end of the day:

I pour a blob of Vitamin E Oil or Jojoba Oil into my hand then rub it into my make-up getting right into the eyelashes. I use Trader Joe’s Vitamin E because it’s mixed with Coconut oil to make it a little smoother. Pure Vitamin E is very thick and tough to spread. Then using tissues or cotton pads I gently rub the make-up off. I use a new tissue/cotton pad each time so as not to rub the old make-up back on to my face.

Then with a little more Vitamin E Oil on a Qtip I gently roll the oil into my eyelashes to remove the mascara as thoroughly as possible.

Then I use a Natural Soap to wash the excess oil off. I can’t tell you the brand I’m using right now as we lost the packaging but it is handmade, SLS Free (See why HERE), totally natural and smells of Lavender which is known for its antibacterial and calming properties. When I’m rinsing the soap from my face I fill the sink with a little warm water, add a few drops of Organic Lavender Essential Oil and splash with this. (More on the benefits of Lavender).

Tip: when buying Essential Oils buy Organic, buy Local and read the ingredients to be sure your Essential Oil is NOT mixed with anything else. I recently found a label that said “100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil” but I found that it was mixed with at least 4 other oils.

Every other day I use a facial scrub. I like the scrub from Earth Science.

If I still feel that my skin is a little too greasy from the oil, I use a cotton pad with some astringent. Right now I’m using Earth Science Clarifying Herbal Astringent but I usually use Thayers Organic Unscented Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula.

Then moisturise.

I like the Earth Science Almond & Aloe Fragrance Free. I personally hate perfume – it makes me sneeze. I find it invasive when people are loaded with strong scents – the sense of smell is a tough sense to switch off if someone is wearing too much perfume. So with this and the fact that fragrance makes me sneeze I buy everything fragrance free or fragranced with only Essential Oils or Plant based scents.

So there ya have it folks… a simple, inexpensive cleansing ritual for you sensitive types.

As for Make-Up. Well, I’m still experimenting with brands.

Check back soon for posts about the affordable chemical-free make-up, baby and hair brands that I like using.

What natural cleansing products have YOU tried and love??

Much Love

Kojii

Here’s my sugar-free, nutrient rich pitcher of Vitamin C scrumptious-ness and how to make it.

You’ll need:
4 large ripe Organic Lemons
Filtered water
2 teaspoons Organic Grade B Maple Syrup (learn why Grade B is best)
Sprigs of Fresh Organic Mint or Basil

Squeeze your lemon juice then add it to the jug. Stir in 2 teaspoons of Maple Syrup, drop in your sprigs of fresh mint or basil. Then simply top up the pitcher with water and stir!

Feel free to add more syrup if you like it sweeter.

You can even pour the lemonade into BPA free Ice Pop molds and freeze it for the kids!

Health tip

If  you feel a cold or flu coming on you can add half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Drink a pitcher of this (or two) alongside my other Home Remedies and you’ll be right as rain in no time!

You can also try:

To restore electrolyte balance and counter dehydration.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

I’ve had a lot of people comment on how quiet, happy and calm she is. Don’t get me wrong it’s not like she never cries, she does but it’s not often, for long or without reason.

I generally say “She’s calm when she gets what she needs and wants otherwise – it’s a WHOLE other story.”

A friend recently asked me how I can tell what it is she needs before she cries/screams. To be honest I wasn’t quite sure how to answer because, at that point, I hadn’t really figured out how I was doing it. All I knew was, 7 times out of 10 I found myself knowing exactly what she needs and heading off any upset. Sometimes I’d be changing diapers before she’d even started pooping and have to stand at the changing table to wait for her business to be done. Other times I had myself sitting comfortably and ready to nurse before she hinted at hunger. Maybe it’s in the timing (I do loosely track her key actions throughout the day: feeding, sleeping, pooping. I’ll post about that another day) or maybe I figured out her body language?

Then I came across this interesting video clip about the Dunstan Baby System’s and the 5 words that babies naturally use to convey their most common reasons for upset.

(link to their Blog with more info)

I thought this info might be useful so I had to share it with all you new Mama’s out there.

I’ll definitely be remembering these “words”!

I might also try Baby Sign Language with her too.

Have you tried any wonderful ways to help the communication between you and your little one?

Communication is the key!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6CFSGAueyo

Click for another video on Baby Language