long reads & short ones, too

sex, culture, beauty, movement

This is toofufu. Welcome. You’ve found a collection of content created by Aléz Odendaal for people who want conscious, honest, and in-depth stories about things that matter to their everyday - always free from ego and ditz, and forever heavy on compassion.

Through weekly posts, it aims to address assumptions on what deserves serious study, viewing video game releases, lipstick choice, and sex toy trends through fields like ethnography, moral philosophy, and psychology.

It talks with not for and not down to its readers; believing that the people reading features are at least as smart as the people writing them. It’s not for everyone, but it might well be for you.

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“Aléz has always brought a deep integrity to her writing; empathy for conflicted human beings in difficult circumstances and a determination to offer herself to the telling of the story, no matter the personal or psychic cost. She effortlessly melds the duties of journalist and story teller, employing justice and honesty as her guiding principles...”

— Megan ross, 'milk fever'

your humble host

Hello. My name’s Aléz Odendaal, and I’m a writer and yoga teacher living in Cape Town. I’m also the proud editor and creator of toofufu. This is my baby -where I write what I like. It’s also a lot more. From here, you can hire me for editorial work, book a yoga session, shop skincare, and join a network of creatives working towards a kinder South Africa. Don’t be a stranger - scroll, click, or contact me for more.

Let me write that for you.

Hiring a freelancer can be scary. You don’t always know what you’re going to get, when you’re going to get it, or how much it’s going to cost you. You might feel it’s easier to stick with what (or who) you know, even if it means the work doesn’t meet your exacting standards.

I get it. But all of that ends now. After eight years in the content creation industry, working with dozens of clients on projects colossal and teeny, I have the professional and interpersonal skills needed to exceed your expectations. Hire me for your every editorial need - always at an affordable rate.

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“Working with Aléz is an absolute dream. She works fast, is super responsive in communicating timelines, and seriously over delivers. She has a talent for understanding your brand, and picks up the appropriate tone of voice really quickly. I can’t recommend her enough.”

— JESSLYNN SCHLAMM, LULU&Marula

private yoga classes

In Cape Town and looking to start a yoga practice? Or maybe you’re looking to advance what you already know? Book a private yoga class for a tailored, authentic, and thoughtful experience. First lesson is free for beginners, with no obligations.

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“What a carefully-crafted experience it was to be led by Alez. I felt so much of the process helped me connect things I hadn’t before. Her knowledge and expertise are visceral, and there was a real sense of being in the hands of a Master.”

— elaine rumboll, Creative Leadership Agency

shop skincare

Vegan. Cruelty-free. Hella-effective. Made locally in tiny batches.

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currently trying

Fin from Dame Products. Retails at around R1 000 ($75). A small, quiet vibrator with three speeds that ‘allow you to choose your own adventure.’ Comes with an optional tether. Designed to be an unobtrusive inclusion to sex, foreplay or solo sessions. So far? So good. One oops: it has a proprietary USB charger that’ll be difficult to replace if it goes missing…as I learnt the hard way.

currently reading

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus. Retails for about R175. This much-anticipated follow-up to McManus’ One of Us is Lying features the story of two dead teenage girls from the sleepy town of Echo Ridge. Separated by decades, the townsfolk and its newest residents can’t shake the feeling they’re somehow connected.

follow by example

These babies are finally on their way to their new home. Congrats @candeecy!✨ Thank you to everyone who entered, and to the hyper-cool @lichenandleaf team that made this special pair possible 💕

sex, culture, beauty, movement

Let me write that for you.

currently trying

currently reading

follow by example

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