Tuesday, November 13, 2012
All of the fashionable items displayed
below, including the Sustain Sports Bra, the Sustain Yoga Halter, the
Sustain Yoga Pant, the Sustain Yoga Short, and the Sustain YogaHoodie, are made from super soft ProModal, a combination of Modal and
Tencel (from the birch & eucalyptus trees respectively), so you
know they'll be comfortable and extremely durable.
They're also eco-friendly and budget
friendly. Designer yoga pants can run you anywhere from $80 to $120
but these designs have all the quality and style for just a fraction
of the price.
Just in time for the holiday season,
these sustainable styles are the perfect excuse to get moving and
beat the January gym rush.
Product Features:
- Designed with your active lifestyle in mind. Go straight from your morning walk to your yoga session, slip on the Sustain Yoga Hoodie and head for a late brunch in eco-style before running your daily errands.
- Made from highly sustainable, organic ProModal (derived from beech wood and eucalyptus tree). This fabric is softer, more durable and colorfast than cotton with 50% more moisture-wicking.
- Attention to detail with a focus on classic lines and colors. No unnecessary stitch work or embellishments to ensure your ultimate comfort. This eco-friendly active wear is made to feel like a 2nd skin.
- Versatility is the name of the game. 4-rth's clients aren't just yogis – they're actively involved in spinning, kick-boxing, running, hiking, soccer, tennis, and you name it! Thanks to the natural stretch and breathability of ProModal, this work-out gear is great for just about any sport.
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| Sustain Sport Bra (available in black, tangerine, or plum) |
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| Sustain Yoga Halter (available in black, tangerine, or plum) |
Thursday, November 08, 2012
We recently added
several new colourful styles of earrings to our collection of handmade jewelry
that I'm very excited about! All of the designs featured below are
made from natural materials, such as coconut shell and calabash
gourd, so they are lightweight and easy to wear.
We purchase all of
our jewelry from a great company called Revy Fair Trade. Revy
works with artisan coops in El Salvador to produce all sorts of
unique jewelry designs and accessories for women, all of which are
handmade in fair trade facilities. Their products are also
eco-friendly, so when you purchase these items you're not only
doing something good for the environment you're also doing something
good for the people of El Salvador.
If you're starting to think about stocking stuffers, a pair of these earrings are a great choice. They also make fun birthday presents or thank you gifts.
Without further
ado, here are some of the latest styles that we've added to our stylish collection:
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| Pink Coco Gem Earrings |
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| Green Coco Gem Earrings |
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| Polished Calabash Earrings |
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
If you're in the market for baby shoes or toddler shoes then you're in luck! We carry an impressive
selection of styles and sizes that are absolutely adorable and 100%
kid friendly (as in free of harmful chemicals or substances such as
lead). I think you'll also appreciate that they're reasonably priced
and eco-friendly to boot!
All of our baby shoes are made by
Pedoodles, an American company that specializes in eco-friendly
footwear for young children. According to the experts at Pedoodles,
young feet are incredibly soft and pliable; therefore, any footwear
you put on them should be the same. Pedoodles have designed their
shoes to be soft and flexible, with plenty of wiggle room for
developing toes and feet.
With this in mind, their sole mission
(pardon the pun) is to “create soft, comfortable, quality footwear
that kids really love to wear.” From the sounds of the customer
testimonials which are featured on their website, they've achieved
this goal and then some. Check out what these moms had to say about
Pedoodles:
Tamara wrote:
“My 15 month daughter and I love her
shoes. She has Ruby Janes and the pink and white Runners in her
current size. She had the Kimberly Kitty crib shoes in her previous
size. They are flexible, breathable, and comfortable even in hot
weather. The shoes hold up far better than any other brand I've
purchased. Even when she was crawling and wearing the shoes the toe
box showed only minor wear after months of use while other more
expensive pairs were scuffed or damaged in minutes. Mud and grass
clean right off the surface so the shoes look nice even after they're
too small. I just ordered the Cotton Candy shoes in her next size
for Christmas.”
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| Dame's Rocket |
Yael wrote:
“My 19 month old son loves his red bowlers. Seriously. He adores them. I have to hide them when I take them off to bathe him or put on his pajamas and if he falls asleep wearing them, I have to leave them on or he'll get annoyed in his sleep.”
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| Blue Bowlers |
Michelle wrote:
“Your shoes make great gifts. I stumbled across them while shopping for a friend's shower and fell in love. They were all so cute that I had a hard time deciding what to buy. Needless to say, they were a big hit and now I'm back for more.”
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| Green Zoomers |
Patricia wrote:
“I am so happy that I found Pedoodles! My 2 year old wears her Princess Pedoodles EVERY DAY! They are perfect for every occasion. I recently bought the Flower Power shoes for both my 2 year old and my 4 year old and they both love wearing their shoes. I also get lots of compliments on the shoes, even from perfect strangers. My 2 year old recently lost one of her Princess shoes, so if it doesn't turn up soon, I will be back getting another pair since I don't think I can go very long without those shoes. They are so easy to put on, for me and for my girls. What a great shoe!”
“I am so happy that I found Pedoodles! My 2 year old wears her Princess Pedoodles EVERY DAY! They are perfect for every occasion. I recently bought the Flower Power shoes for both my 2 year old and my 4 year old and they both love wearing their shoes. I also get lots of compliments on the shoes, even from perfect strangers. My 2 year old recently lost one of her Princess shoes, so if it doesn't turn up soon, I will be back getting another pair since I don't think I can go very long without those shoes. They are so easy to put on, for me and for my girls. What a great shoe!”
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| Java Jumpers |
Monday, November 05, 2012
The holidays are coming up which means
extra spending for a lot of Canadian and American families. All of
the gift giving and entertaining can really put a dent in the old
wallet so why not try and save a few bucks on your next utility bill?
For starters, did you know that it can
be cheaper to do your laundry and to run other appliances such as the
dishwasher during off-peak hours? In my area we have the option of
signing up for 'time-of-use' pricing which means that electricity is
essentially 'on sale' during periods of infrequent use. In many
regions this includes weekends and weeknights any time after 7 or 8
pm until around 7 am in the morning. I strongly urge you to do a bit
of research on what options are available in your neck of the woods
so that you can start saving too.
Another way to keep a little more of
your hard-earned money is to unplug your appliances when you're not
using them. This could be anything from your computer to your DVD
player to your electric kettle. All of these things suck up energy
even when they're not in use. I'll admit that it can be a pain to go
around unplugging everything one by one, so one solution is to to
hook up your appliances into a power bar that can be switched on and
off with the click of a button.
If you're wondering exactly how much
your household appliances are consuming, Engergy.gov provides a good
resource here. Chances are unplugging your appliances won't amount
to much in terms of dollars saved on a monthly basis, but if you're
diligent then you could walk away with a couple extra hundred dollars
at the end of the year. And don't forget that by using less energy
we're also doing something good for the environment!
Friday, November 02, 2012
I've written about the importance of
supporting the organic cotton industry before, but my recent
discovery of the Organic Cotton Initiative has reminded me of one
very important point that I failed to elaborate on. Organic cotton
is great for the environment and great for our health, but it's also
great for putting the power back in the hands of the farmer.
It's very simple, really. Organic
farmers don't use genetically modified seeds which means that they
have the power and freedom to choose sustainable farming methods over
conventional methods which rely heavily on chemicals and pesticides.
Here's what the folks over at the
Organic Cotton Initiative had to say:
“Organic cotton production never uses
GM seed. The small-scale farmers who produce the majority of our
cotton need reliability, not high risks. Using low external inputs
that are locally available, organic allows farmers to work within
their limits and with their environment, in a sustainable way.
Organic cotton puts choices in the farmer's hands.”
Just one more reason to support organic
cotton production. For the Organic Cotton Initiative's full briefing
the benefits of organic cotton click here.
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.
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| Rich Red Clutch |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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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.
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| Mora Fiesta Earrings |
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| 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!
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