Thursday, October 25, 2012
The weekend is just around the corner,
and for some of you lucky ladies this means planning the perfect
outfit for a night on the town with that special someone. Having had
some experience in this domain, my best piece of advice is to wear
something you're comfortable in and that makes you feel confident.
Especially if it's the first or second date, now is not the time to
take huge fashion risks that you could end up regretting half way
through the evening.
Next, accessorize with a brightly coloured clutch* and some dangly earrings*. *Note: Both items featured here are by Revy Fair Trade.
Finish it all off with Jonano's Gray Herringbone Coat (made from 100% organic cotton) for a bit of artistic flair and just the right amount of drama.
3. 'Casual Chic'
These dangly earrings by Revy Fair Trade are great for adding a bit of colour to your look. A loosely draped scarf is another great way to accessorize an outfit.
You want your clothes to be a reflection of
your personality but you also want to make sure they fit you right
and that they're appropriate for the occasion. Please do try them
out before you settle on your final ensemble. The last thing you
want is a skirt that rides up when you walk or a popped button on
your blouse. Trust me, I've made these mistakes so that you don't
have to.
That said, I've put together a few
ideas that will hopefully inspire you to create a killer outfit this
weekend. And as an added bonus, every last item is eco-friendly! So
if you run out of discussion topics, there's always that... Without further ado, here are my top three choices for the perfect date night ensemble:
1. 'The Theatre Goer'
For a fun but sophisticated look that's perfect for taking in a bit of culture. Whether you're off to try out the newest wine bar or planning on taking in a live show, this outfit will get you there in style!
Start with Jonano's Sleeveless Shift Dress
in gray herringbone (also available in tan) and match with dark stockings and a pair of medium height
heels.
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| Sleeveless Shift Dress |
Next, accessorize with a brightly coloured clutch* and some dangly earrings*. *Note: Both items featured here are by Revy Fair Trade.
 |
| Rich Red Clutch |
 |
| Pacun Seed & Clay Earrings |
Finish it all off with Jonano's Gray Herringbone Coat (made from 100% organic cotton) for a bit of artistic flair and just the right amount of drama.
 |
| Gray Herringbone Coat |
2. 'The Cocktail Queen'
Sassy but classy, this
outfit will carry you from the cocktail lounge to the dance floor
without skipping a beat. It's the perfect ensemble for taking in a
bit of nightlife this weekend.
Slip into the curve-hugging Audrey Twist Dress by Jonano and pair it with your favourite set of heels. Choose a bright coloured shoe for some added flair or stick with classic black for a sleeker look. Add a pair of neutral toned nylons for warmth.
Slip into the curve-hugging Audrey Twist Dress by Jonano and pair it with your favourite set of heels. Choose a bright coloured shoe for some added flair or stick with classic black for a sleeker look. Add a pair of neutral toned nylons for warmth.
 |
Don't over do it on the accessories. A chunky bracelet* and a dangly pair of earrings* should do the trick. *Both items featured here are by Revy Fair Trade.
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| Pacun & Coquita Seed Bracelet |
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| Black Pacun Earrings |
Last but not least, seal the deal with
Jonano's Mini Trench from an organic hemp-cotton blend. If you don't
want to carry a bag, this jacket is designed with side pockets for
you to stash away your essentials. If you're worried about being
chilly, throw on a silk scarf under your coat like the one featured
here.
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| Mini Trench |
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| Silk Linen Wrap |
3. 'Casual Chic'
Just the thing for
dinner and a movie or a casual pub night.
Start
with a basic scoop neck tank in black or white, or any solid colour.
Add a dark wash skinny jean to the mix or a retro-inspired cigarette pant like the ones featured below. If you want to stick with a more
casual look, opt for a pair ballet flats or loafers. Go for a low to
medium height heel to elongate your legs and dress-up your outfit a
smidgen.
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| Fine Knit Scoop Neck Tank |
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| Cigarette Pant |
These dangly earrings by Revy Fair Trade are great for adding a bit of colour to your look. A loosely draped scarf is another great way to accessorize an outfit.
 |
| Mora Fiesta Earrings |
 |
| Aqua Print Scarf |
If
you're going to be sitting for most of the evening, a larger bag
is perfectly acceptable. Hempy's Bodhi Hemp Tote is a great choice
for such an occasion.
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| Bodhi Hemp Tote |
Finally,
Jonano's organic denim jacket looks great layered over pants and will
keep you warm on the walk to and from the car.
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| Denim Shirtdress & Jacket |
Here's
hoping your date goes well this weekend. But even if it's a total
failure, at least you know you'll look good! Have fun and stay safe!
Monday, October 22, 2012
According to TreeHugger, color grown
cotton grows naturally in shades of white, tan, green, yellow, red,
and brown, thus eliminating the need for dyeing. These naturally
colored strains of cotton have actually been around for thousands of
years (originating in the ancient Americas); however, they were not
well suited for use in modern textile machines so they became less
and less popular.
Eco-conscious clothing designers such
as Jonano have recently turned to using color grown cotton for all of
its wonderful social, health and environmental benefits. Here are
just some of the great reasons you'll want to support the color grown
cotton industry:
Environmental:
- Color grown cotton is more pest-resistant than conventional cotton and is much easier to grow organically (without chemical fertilizers or pesticides)
- Color grown cotton eliminates the need for harmful dyes which wind up in our waterways
Health:- In addition to being extremely soft, color grown cotton is safe for allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin due to the absence of harmful chemicals and dyes
Social:
- Much of color grown cotton is harvested manually, creating employment for people in the countries where it typically grows, such as Peru
Check out the Fiesta Dress, the Praia Tunic Dress, the Rio Dress, and the Verao Skirt Dress - all made from organic color grown cotton!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
It's not too late to get into one of our eco-friendly fall jackets for women by Jonano.
These designs are nothing short of fabulous, and they've all been marked down for the remainder of the season! Available in a range of luxurious 'green' fabrics, including silk, organic cotton, organic hemp and organic bamboo. Wear them on their own or layered over a sweater for extra warmth.
These designs are nothing short of fabulous, and they've all been marked down for the remainder of the season! Available in a range of luxurious 'green' fabrics, including silk, organic cotton, organic hemp and organic bamboo. Wear them on their own or layered over a sweater for extra warmth.
Click
here to see more sale items in women's fall fashion.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Do you have a kiddo in your life that
loves shoes? Well then they're in for a treat with these new styles
from Pedoodles. My niece is only two but I fear she's already
developed a life-long obsession with fashionable footwear, or
'shoosh', as she likes to say.
As with most children, she loves anything with bright colours so I know she'll absolutely adore the Green Zoomers, which are on sale from now until Christmas for $39.00 (USD).
As with most children, she loves anything with bright colours so I know she'll absolutely adore the Green Zoomers, which are on sale from now until Christmas for $39.00 (USD).
We also carry some adorable styles for
your little guy, such as the Blue Bowlers, which are available in
sizes for children aged 0 – 22 months. In addition to being super
cute, this entire line of children's shoes is constructed from
eco-friendly premium leather remnants which are safety tested for
kids. This means that they're free of lead, antimony, arsenic,
barium, cadmium, mercury, selenium and harmful amines. The less
exposure to these harmful chemicals, the better.
If you're wondering about sizing, I've
attached the chart below to help you get the right fit. As we all
know, every child grows at their own pace so they may be a bit bigger
or smaller than the average. If possible, measure their feet before
choosing a size. For additional baby and toddler shoes, click here.
Happy shoe shopping!
| Pedoodles Eco-Friendly Shoe Styles | |||
| Approx Age | Inches | Centimeters | US Size |
| 0 - 4 Months | 4.2" | 10.7 | 0 - 2 |
| 4 - 8 Months | 4.6" | 11.7 | 2 - 4 |
| 8 - 12 Months | 4.7" | 12 | 4 - 5 |
| 12 - 16 Months | 5.1" | 13 | 5 - 6 |
| 16 - 22 Months | 5.5" | 14 | 6 - 7 |
| 22 - 28 Months | 5.9" | 15 | 7 - 8 |
| 2.5 - 3 Years | 6.3" | 16 | 8 - 9.5 |
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Stealth-Pocket Ball Cap made from
100% hemp has been gaining in popularity since I posted it on
Pinterest a couple of days ago. It has been re-pinned onto boards
such as 'The Hubby', 'Contemporary Man', and my personal favorite,
'Manly Necessities'. Personally, I think it's really sharp looking
and extremely versatile so I'm not surprised.
According to Ben Jones, a contributing
feature writer for FashionBean, the baseball cap is making a big
splash this fall/winter season on the catwalk. He noted that popular
designers, such as DKNY, Acne and Woolrich Woolen Mills all featured
ball caps in their collections at the various global Fashion Weeks
for AW12. Many of them chose to pair solid colored caps (note: olive
green was a popular choice) with tailored suits to bring about a
slightly more casual look.
But if that's not your style then don't worry, the classic ball cap still works with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Actually, it seems to work with just about anything! Maybe it really is a manly necessity... Order yours here for just $28 (USD).
But if that's not your style then don't worry, the classic ball cap still works with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Actually, it seems to work with just about anything! Maybe it really is a manly necessity... Order yours here for just $28 (USD).
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The following
product reviews were posted on Hempy's website by very satisfied
customers. It looks as though Hempy's wallets are a hit! Click here
to shop for your very own Hempy's wallet and see how great they are
for yourself!
Product Reviews:
On Saturday, February 25, 2012,
Wallace Stewart wrote:
“My Hempy's wallet that I've carried
daily for over 10 years finally needed to be replaced. I go to the
site and order a new one, Bi-fold, dark brown and it's in my mailbox
the next day! I will never carry another wallet. You guys ROCK!”
On Thursday, April 26, 2012, Denis
Piazza wrote:
“I just ordered a second Mesh UtilityWallet. The first one finally gave out after 10 years of use. I
would highly recommend this product to anyone who needs a new
wallet.”
On Monday, August 6, 2012, Rachel
Snow wrote about the Keychain Hemp Wallet:
“I bought this wallet back in the
fall of 2008. I am finally replacing it, not because it has fallen
apart or lost any functionality, but purely for aesthetic
reasons--that is just how durable this thing is. I would highly
recommend this wallet to anybody.”
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
We are really excited to
announce our new line of organic toddler t-shirts, designed and
manufactured by bioME 5! These tees are great for kids with
allergies or sensitive skin because they're made from unbleached 100%
certified organic cotton and printed with water-based inks. They are
also tag free for your child's comfort and pre-shrunk for your
convenience.
There are 26 colorful designs to choose
from, one for each letter of the alphabet with a corresponding animal
– 'A' is for 'Aardvark', 'B' is for 'Badger', so on and so forth.
There is even a Vampire Bat design which would be great for
Halloween!
On sale from now until February 1, 2013 for
just $24, these t-shirts are the perfect thing for under a cardigan
or hoodie. The only bad news is that this item can only be delivered
to US addresses.
Sorry, my Canadian friends. We're looking to add some Canadian designers and manufacturers in the near future!
Sorry, my Canadian friends. We're looking to add some Canadian designers and manufacturers in the near future!
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Very often I hear people argue that
sustainable manufacturing processes are unrealistic and/or
cost-ineffective. But this simply isn't true. It always helps to
have an example, so during these debates I reference the work of Ray
Anderson, the founder and adored chairman of Interface, Inc.
Interface is a modular carpet
manufacturer that went from being extremely oil intensive to
extremely environmentally friendly. Remarkably, they achieved
greater success as a result. In his book titled Confessions of a
Radical Industrialist, Anderson explained that in 1994 he steered
Interface towards sustainability while increasing the company’s
profits.
The motivation to ‘go green’ came after he finished reading a book by Paul Hawken called The Ecology of Commerce. After this experience he developed an entirely new vision for his company based on achieving sustainability – a concept that had never factored into the organization’s way of business prior to this time.
The motivation to ‘go green’ came after he finished reading a book by Paul Hawken called The Ecology of Commerce. After this experience he developed an entirely new vision for his company based on achieving sustainability – a concept that had never factored into the organization’s way of business prior to this time.
Step by step and through some trial and error,
he managed to lead the entire organization on what some would call an
impossible mission to achieve the ultimate goal of producing zero
waste. Unfortunately, Ray Anderson passed away in 2011 but he
accomplished a massive reformation of his company (with the help of a
great team) before he died.
I love this story because it proves
that sustainability and profitability do go together. I highly
recommend Ray Anderson's book for a more detailed account of how
Interface came to be known as the worldwide leader in design,
production and sales of environmentally-responsible modular
carpeting. For a preview of what to expect, I've included this short video of Ray Anderson, himself, talking about Confessions of a Radical Industrialist:
Monday, October 01, 2012
My love
of hiking began just under a few years ago when I moved to Hawaii to
do my Master's. Who wouldn't love a morning spent traveling up the
side of a dormant volcano or an afternoon adventure in the lush
Hawaiian rainforest? These are some of my favourite memories of my
time spent in Paradise and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity
to live in such a beautiful environment.
Now
that I'm back in Canada, I'm looking forward to getting out and
enjoying some fresh fall air and the magnificent colours of the
changing leaves. It will be a completely different experience than
hiking in Hawaii but beautiful all the same. To help prepare, I've
shortlisted a few items that I'll want to bring along to ensure the
best hiking experience possible. Feel free to use my list for your
next hiking trip or to adapt it to your own needs.
Day
Hike Essentials:
- Water: I don't plan on any full day hikes so one bottle should do it. If you're more ambitious than me, make sure you bring enough liquid to get you through your trail and then some. Depending on where you go there won't necessarily be water fountains available.
- Snacks: My favourite hiking snack is trail mix because it's light weight and high in protein. Add a piece of fruit to the menu and I'm good to go.
- Extra Socks: At this time of year hikers are likely to come across a few puddles. There's nothing worse than cold wet feet so extra socks are an absolute must.
- Rain Gear: Not the most flattering look, but if you get caught in a downpour a hooded poncho is the way to go.
- Layers: Dressing in layers is important because you're not likely to stay the same temperature throughout your entire hike. I try to stick with breathable clothes made from fabrics using natural fibers such as organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, or modal. Bamboo and modal are especially great for moisture wicking and thermal regulation.
- Hat: Even if you don't use it it's a good idea to bring a hat along in case you get cold or need to keep the sun off your head.
- Comfortable Footwear: It goes without saying that comfortable and supportive footwear will greatly improve your hiking experience. So far I've managed to get away with a good pair of sneakers but for avid hikers hiking boots are a wise investment.
Depending
on where you live and what time of year it is, you may also want to
consider bringing sunscreen and bug repellent. Most hiking experts
also recommend that you pack a basic first-aid kit and some bear
spray (depending on the area) in case you come across a bit of bad
luck on your trip. Other than a camera and lots of energy, I think
that about covers it.
If
you're a hiker I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to let me
know if I've left out any important items from my list!
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