JSMN TUAN

Virtual diary of my life right here. Worked as Senior Multimedia and multitasking designer at ZoukClub for almost a decade, kick started and organized Flea&Easy - Sunday Flea Market at Zouk, involved in Undergrd Movement (Event company), founded concept boutique Blackmarket, was 1/2 of VJ Achtung! Achtung! and 1/3 of fashion label FruFru & Tigerlily. Now starting a new lifestyle brand in Malaysia, base in KL, started Brandmama consultancy which acts as a 3rd eye for your brands, events and businesses. Love traveling, nature, and all things creative. Let's get in touch and do something together! Email me at [email protected]

[jsmntuan]

I'm so in love with this dress blessed by @cloop.sg Feels like Sunday's best everyday whenever I put it on. So thankful for this! When I stopped buying new, my style preferences actually expanded. I used to buy another black dress, another jacket, another this, another that, and don't end up wearing them somehow because I just have too many. When I switched to swapping and receiving freecycle blessings, I find myself more open to try on something different, such as this white dress! My wardrobe used to be 90% black. Now I see myself wearing more colours, floral, and fun pieces like this. I'm ecstatic each time I wear preloved clothings. How fascinating these clothes can make one feel. #youwearyourvalues #youarewhatyouwear These clothes don't cost me, the planet, and people anymore harm while I enjoy new styles and having fun with fashion at the same time. Which is what fashion should be! No one should die for fashion. #fashionrevolution Donate your clean unwanted unworn fashion items with us! @myzerowastewardrobe (SG) @blackmarketpreloved (MY) Our mission is to keep good fashion pieces circulated within the community. Thank you for being a part of the conscious fashion community. #lovedfashionlasts 💚 https://www.instagram.com/p/CFEIDH5H22S/?igshid=1ivxeulejnger

[jsmntuan]

Went back to @thekindbowl_sg pho some pho and sipped bubble tea, #zerowastestyle. Brought and use my own glass straw, although they do provide bamboo straws. I now bring my own cutlery, including straw, everywhere I go. Just to avoid the need to throw away another one time use disposables whatever. Enjoying a good meal and drink doesn't have to create and add more waste to the planet. This delicious meal was totally waste free, and cruelty-free. No meat. Everything is in my tummy. Served in reusables. Burp. . . #myzerowastejourney #meatlessmoday #wellnesswednesday . . (at The Kind Bowl) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEHcZSkHk_0/?igshid=1ad8adf8886hp

[jsmntuan]

Flower shops at the wet market are now open! They are essential to my well being you know. Saw a bunch of eucalyptus and had to buy it. One, it's wrap in a non woven sleeve which I can return to the vendor for reuse in my next visit. Two, it's a natural home fragrance and insect repellent. Three, they last for about 2 months and they can be use as home decor forever until they biodegrade! Cut about 5-6 inches and placed them in pots and trays which I reuse from inevitable packagings from supermarkets. Glass jar, yogurt containers and plastic trays mainly. Instead of wash, dry and toss them into a recycling bin, I kept and reuse them for whatever popped up! They sure come in handy today as pots and trays for my Eucalyly! Place them in cool places, away from direct sunlight. Some are in water, some are propagated in perlite. Hopefully, this is the first and the last time I'm buying eucalyptus. Wish me luck! Fingers and toes crossed! . . #myzerowastejourney #smileslikegreenspirit #zerowastelifetyle #zerowasteSG . . (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5Os61HAG0/?igshid=1ojr2vwoo2weq

[jsmntuan]

Second harvest! My sweet potato leaves keep growing! Its mama is still dip in water and I have not even repot it. Amazing plant food. 💚🐛 First harvest was on 8 Jun. Second harvest today. Also gave some cuttings to a friend and the leaves are out after few days! 😍 I wish I have a plot of land to grow all kinds of edibles. However, I was inspired to start regrowing my food after I saw a post from @ladyofleisuremalaysia who grows her edibles from a slipper wide balcony. I'm lucky to have a private corridor with ample sunlight and weather exposure. So there's no excuse for me but to take actions. And look at my green babies! 😍 I'm a proud green mama. Singapore is well aware how fragile and vulnerable we are as a city island dependant mostly on imports. What if all borders were shut in the next pandemic with no imports or exports of food and supplies?? It's high time we embrace urban farming and what a way to get everyone on board by sending each household 2 seeds to start! Thank you @nparksbuzz! Registered and now I wait. 💚 . . #myzerowastejourney #smileslikegreenspirit . . (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBz5niynGSl/?igshid=2y2na1wve18i

[jsmntuan]

Another way to turn your food waste into awesome cleaning product is to make eco enzymes! I heard about it a few times but never really get my hands into making one until I was faced with a freezer crisis weeks ago. My freezer was filled with frozen food waste due to more cooking at home, both me and my house mate, during lockdown and my 2 mini compost bin are full. I didn't know about @city_sprouts then... and eco enzymes popped up! Not knowing how to start, I binge watch YouTube videos on How to make your own Eco Enzymes before I begin. You'll need an air tight container and I found this glass jar in my kitchen shelf. Checked. You'll need brown sugar and I found a bag left by my previous house mate. Checked. Food waste, preferably citrus peels, papaya peels, banana skins, for beginners as it'll make a more pleasant smelling enzymes. Checked. Water, checked. Following a ratio of 1:3:10 - 1 part brown sugar, 3 part food waste, 10 part water. Easy peasy! Mix 1 part brown sugar with 10 part water. Stir well till sugar dissolves. They should fill up 60% of the glass jar. Then drop your 3 part food waste in. Close the lid, label the date and wait for 2 months. Yup. That's it! For the first week, open the jar daily to release the farts, gas I mean. Weeks after, you can open the jar every other day to release the bubbles. It's smelling real good!! Can't wait to use it for cleaning. You can use it for dish washing, laundry, clean the floor, etc etc etc. It's recommended to mix with your usual detergent.. but what's the point? Don't they have chemicals? I'm gonna explore some ways to make my own cleaning products using this eco enzymes perhaps mix it with liquid castle soap and water and some drops of eucalyptus eo. Will have to research more on that! Can't wait for the day to come when my eco enzyme will be ready! Counting down to 27th July 2020 . . #myzerowastejourney #smileslikegreenspirit . . (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBkbAv5ngkh/?igshid=8x6c32xwz7ns

[jsmntuan]

What's cooking? Besides turning food waste such as used coffee grounds and citrus peels into chemical-free beauty and cleaning products, you can also make veggie stocks by boiling veggie scraps! Store in ice cube tray in freezer and use within 2 weeks. Rot or compost the rest. Recently, I chance upon @city_sprouts while jogging uphill towards Henderson Wave and later found out they accept food waste! Happy that I can now drop my food waste there! Literally! #dropitlikeitshot I freeze / store food waste in the fridge. About 2 weeks or so, I would have collected enough veggie scraps, fruit peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags,... to make a decent compost. Since both my mini compost bins are filled waiting for magic #blackgold to happen, I now contribute those food waste at City Sprout massive compost land which will be tossed every now and then... and eventually became 'soil conditioner' for the crops. Impressive! It's better to return nutrients back to the very soil that grows our food than to incinerate and turn it to complete waste. If it ended up in the landfill, food waste released methane gas which is 25-30x more potent than CO2. It traps heat in the atmosphere, caused global warming which melt glaciers at an alarmingly rapid rate. And here we are wondering why it's getting hotter and hotter. Blasting air conditioning away, mimicking our melting North pole, adding more CO2 into the environment, while we clear our virgin forest for more development, when that very forest, our green lungs, actually help cool down our planet! How warp can we go? @iamwill said "A waste is not waste until we waste it." Everything we have comes from resources from our planet Earth. Recover them as much as possible so our future generations can enjoy this Earth, hopefully in a more conscious and respectful manner. More food waste tips coming up! . . (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBhmZu3n4xW/?igshid=zyep1lv4vv9z

[jsmntuan]

Talk to you this Saturday! Xx #Repost @HelloREXKL: Join @jsmntuan - curator, founder of @blackmarketpreloved store as she shares about how she went from a shopaholic to zero shopping on new fashion items since 2018, yet have plenty of clothes to wear on @hellorexkl IG Live Takeover this Saturday, 6 June, 11am. Tune in for enlightenment. #comesayhello #hellorexkl #blckmktpreloved #zerowaste #recycle #kitajagakita #petalingstreet (at REXKL) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBAI16nHSPS/?igshid=10694f5prej0s

[jsmntuan]

Podcast is up! Click on IG TV @thepeopleofasia to hear about my little sharing on why and how I went from maximalism to minimalism, from shopaholic to buy nothing new in 2018, the same year I started going zero waste, thanks to @zerowastemalaysia_official What have I been up to during this time? Other than working on home improvements, re-growing some edibles and started making compost, I have created a website/blog @smileslikegreenspirit (inspired by Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit song name) to share more in depth stories and the many Rs I've picked up along the way which helped me stay sane during my zero waste journey. I think life is too short to learn everything on your own. We learn from one another through sharing our #truestories. I hope to inspire and help others to get on their zero waste journey, to rethink about our true needs and wants, our consumption habits and waste generated. Remember, we do not have a Planet B. Once our only home is wasted, the profits and money will be of no use. Have a listen to the podcast and let me know what you think! Namaste! . . https://www.instagram.com/p/CApoDBOH74u/?igshid=1qmy6k1rje0h4

[jsmntuan]

Some time ago, @thepeopleofasia interviewed to find out how I went from maximalism to minimalism, from a shopaholic to buy nothing new since 2018. https://thepeopleofasia.com/articles/topic-economy-business/from-maximalism-to-minimalism-a-journey-to-zero-waste-living/ Tomorrow (Tuesday, 26th May), you'll hear more about it on their IG TV podcast. Let me know what you think about it! . . https://www.instagram.com/p/CAncQqMHpO0/?igshid=15tkd19pffosa

[jsmntuan]

See you this Wednesday, 29/04, 11am @alyfegroup FB live! By registration only. Click link at bio. I'll be sharing my zero waste journey, and the 5 + bonus 5Rs which helped me aim for zero waste everyday. If you have questions, feel free to ask and we can address some of them live! Looking forward to it! Xx (at ALYFE Group) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_eJvvFnOJG/?igshid=1c9e1955ngd5e

[jsmntuan]

This chart has been helpful in my zero waste journey since 2018. Though Fashion was a big part of my life, it's also one of the most polluting industries, so I pledged to zero shopping on new fashion items at the same time. I must confessed I did fall into buying something new at times. I bought new undergarments, a dress on sale which I swear I will wear over and over again, a swimsuit on sale... I am also happy to declare most of the time, I won over my own demon. I didn't find the need to buy or own another skirt, another dress, another bag because they are one of a kind, on clearance sale, and oh so pretty. I don't need them! I already have them! At most, I'll take photos of the items or take a picture of me wearing it. Forever kept in my virtual wardrobe #googlephotos #pinterest and I don't need to think about the maintenance of these items, such as laundry, dry cleaning, finding a place for them in my ever exploding wardrobe. I'm also letting them go at the @blackmarketpreloved store. Compared to the shopaholic, collector and hoarder I was before, I think I'm doing pretty alright! I have saved so much money which allows me to enjoy simple pleasures in life. I actually start using what I have! Before, I'll just buy and keep them. #crazyrichasians If I don't have it, such as a dress for a 1920s theme, I'll borrow from friends. My recent unforseen circumstances allowed me to swap an entire wardrobe for a month for only 35! If I must buy, I'll choose to buy secondhand first. If I can make, redesign, or reconstruct, I'll do it! If not, I'll work with a local seamstress, designers to make it. Finally, if I must buy new, I'll buy quality, I'll buy local, I'll support businesses that's ethical and honest and friendly to our planet. Beware of #greenwashing and always ask #whomakesmyclothes Today is #whitemonday #sgwhitemonday hope this chart can also help you in your journey to true freedom. "If less is more, perhaps nothing is everything." Shopping is an addiction no one talks about because it's very good for business. Be mindful of where you put your money at. You are either funding a dream of a young designer or funding modern day slavery. Be a wise consumer (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5R0UkNH1EH/?igshid=39o7aqpvq42z

[jsmntuan]

I didn't buy them! These are swapped from @thefashionpulpit ! What happened? I was planning a day trip to settle some stuffs quickly in Singapore before heading back to KL for @fredperrymy and @urbanscapes event. However, something ridiculous happened. Malaysia custom refused my entry simply because I spent more time there than my homeland. The officer did ask for kopi money on our way to the office which I was caught off guard and totally not used to. I said to him "Malaysia has a bad reputation for this. You shouldn't do this!" I do not want to support bribery in any form. I don't blamed him too as he's only following his leaders #greatrolemodels I was ordered to stay put in SG for a month! Got so much activities going on in KL which I had to forgo. I'm so upset about it. Well, life goes on. With or without me. I learnt to let go, and let God. So, here I am in SG, without my laptop, and only one day's worth of clothings for one month! Thank goodness I have some unworn pretty clothes and some more items to let go. I choose not to buy but to swap at @thefashionpulpit for 35 only. You can bring up to 10 items and points will be tabulated for swap. . The result? These beauties and more! I also managed to get 2 pairs of shoes, and 2 items for my friend. How cool is that? Plus I love siffing through their wide arrays of styles and items. Took me few hours and few trips (with exceptions) but totally worth it. Swap instead of Buy. Even at times like this, it is possible to get a whole new wardrobe without buying new and contributing more harm to our planet! . This Friday, will be the darkest day on Earth - Black Friday. Where consumers exercise their buying rights to shop till they drop online and offline because they can. Buy because it's cheap, it's on some kind of deal, and it's limited time offer only. I caution you to not be caught in this mindless frenzy. Rethink the way we consume. Consider alternative ways such as swap, buy secondhand or support businesses who truly care about our people and planet. Your money is funding those businesses to make or break our only home. . Let's practice mindfulness today #MindfulMonday #sgwhitemonday #whitemonday (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5RtvSkH6kb/?igshid=8ztu4ul6hqr6

[jsmntuan]

I'm always thankful to have the opportunity to share My Zero Waste Journey, especially with our future leaders, maker and shakers, whether on my own or representing the NGO I believed in, @zerowastemalaysia_official Distance could be near or far, be it in Singapore, KL, Port Klang, Johor Bahru or any part of the world. Given the opportunity to share, there I will be. I will not stop talking about the urgency to act and to adopt a low waste low consumption lifestyle. Aiming for #ZeroWaste using the 5Rs (and more!) principals. . We only have one planet home. If we don't take care of it, who will? When is the best time to do it? Now. If not now, when? Till the damage we done to our planet became irreversible? Then it'll be too late. By then, I might have gone home with the Lord, but you will have to face the consequences. This is your future my young friends. I hope you will take it seriously. . Thank you @alextwh97 for capturing this. . . #myzerowastejourney #zerowastemalaysia . . (at Hin Hua High School) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4uWTCrHje9/?igshid=1tulwf9244em6

[jsmntuan]

Here we go again with @fredperrymy . #repost #fredperrymy ~ . What are you working on at the moment? "A pre-loved – vintage – up-cycled / redesigned charity shop at the newly revamped cinema space REXKL – @blackmarketpreloved store. A ‘Trash Tank’ installation for the upcoming KLEFF x Social to spread awareness of the impact of our everyday trash (mostly single use plastics, packaging, disposables) to the sea if not managed properly." - @jsmntuan, Creative brand consultant, model and activist. . Listen to her Spotify playlist on our Facebook page. 📷: @allisamazing . . #fredperry #fredperrymy . (at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2MHUGDnWyy/?igshid=4xl072mxy74s

[jsmntuan]

@zerowastemalaysia_official Speakers Team and volunteers in action. Sharing the what, why and how of Zero Waste Lifestyle with these young leaders from Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, China, India,... at the PJIYLC International Youth Leadership Camp by MIP Youth Wing. . Youngest participant is just 7-11 years old! These young leaders come together to learn from one another, and all about zero waste lifestyle and responsible consumption. We show them how we do it. Simply by switching all sorts of disposables to reusable. Reduce what we need and make use of what's already around us. . One of our volunteers is a student. She showed her lunchbox set and I asked her why does she carry 2 sets of chopsticks. Her response touched me. She said, this is for her friend who lunch with her and might not necessarily bring their reusable. So they can be zero waste together. How inclusive! Just by bringing an extra pair of chopsticks. . . #myzerowastejourney #zerowastemalaysia . . (at Best Western Petaling Jaya) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2DnpEPnpSG/?igshid=1nrjrp9w033qa

[jsmntuan]

View from our balcony. It's drizzling but this view made up for it. Chillies are grown from the backyard. (at Bayu Lestari Island Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzrgvA1nqVi/?igshid=qqiyn533105g

[jsmntuan]

At the hospital beginning of July.