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. 

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.

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.


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.

Pacun & Coquita Seed Bracelet
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.
    
Mini Trench

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.


Fine Knit Scoop Neck Tank

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.


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.





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.

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).

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 AgeInchesCentimetersUS Size
0 - 4 Months4.2"10.70 - 2
4 - 8 Months4.6"11.72 - 4
8 - 12 Months4.7"124 - 5
12 - 16 Months5.1"135 - 6
16 - 22 Months5.5"146 - 7
22 - 28 Months5.9"157 - 8
2.5 - 3 Years6.3"168 - 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).   
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!