Fashion freedom
Ladies, why fake it when you can F.A.K.E. it? Local fashion designer Jasmine Currie releases her second eco-friendly clothing collection this fall. F.A.K.E. Couture (Freedom Action Kindness Empathy) concepts are classically stylish and comfortable. Currie’s first collection features six pieces and two accessories, which, with a few twists and turns, let you go from office to beach to cocktail party. With a standout kerchief top that can be worn at least 12 different ways, a tube dress that can go as a top, miniskirt, minidress, pencil skirt or knee-length dress, and a large wrap, which can be converted into a dress or skirt, the combinations are infinite. Manufactured locally from organic soy and bamboo fabrics, there’s nothing fake about it—and bonus::it’s all machine-washable. Available at Twigg & Hottie (3671 Main St.) or fakecouture.com, 604-715-5553. —Joanne Will
BUG OFF
Compassion often stops at itchy, scratchy, bug-infested camping trips. Luckily for the world (and the bugs), there are tangible weapons available to ensure a successful camping trip, cruelty-free. Mosquitoes and black flies won’t hang around with Adios—a DEET-free bug repellant/sunscreen/moisturizer (yes, all in one!) from Vancouver-based Serf to Surf. This all-natural, biodegradable insect repellent avoids pesky ingredients like petroleum byproducts, mineral or animal ingredients, artificial colours, or synthetic preservatives, using organic hempseed oil, unrefined shea nut butter, and lemon eucalyptus instead. Also offering a skin-care line, this grassroots company has even got celeb client Alicia Silverstone raving about its coconut and peach hemp lip balms. Now this is just the kind of nature you can nurture. Available at 259 E. Hastings St. (604-782-2937) or serftosurf.com. —Erica Gehrke
BASKET CASE
One more wedding, shower, or birthday to attend, and you’re all out of ideas? Put all your eggs in one basket with a little something from Gifted Design. Inspired by the myriad of goody packages they’d seen delivered to actors and directors, veteran set decorators Vanessa and Joy focus on organic, fair-trade, and local. Making sure the “baskets” are reusable or recyclable is top priority; they use beautiful vases, bowls, trays, and recyclable boxes. And only top-quality goods from companies like Ethical Bean, NK’Mip Cellars, and Gone Crackers make the cut. Whether you order a customized package or one of their standards (like the China Blue or Anarchist), you’ll recognize the excruciating hours Vanessa and Joy spent sampling fine chocolates, champagnes, and coffees to bring the best to your basket. Available through gifted-design.com or 778-329-2419. —JW
MUD GIRLS
We know you were thinking this would be about women who mud wrestle. And well, yes, while that could happen in the course of their activities, Mud Girls is a women’s collective that seeks to inspire people to change how we live on this earth—and they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. These dirty girls build natural structures such as homes, cabins, ovens, garden sheds, or whatever else imaginable using cob, straw bales, adobe brick, and cordwood. The collective, based on Lasqueti Island, is also for hire in Courtenay, Nanaimo, and Salt Spring Island, and offers assistance to owner-builders embarking on natural building adventures. In addition, Mud Girls provides community outreach and organizes workshops that focus on sustainable living, activism, alternative technology, permaculture, healing with art and play, and earth spirituality. Dig in! Info: lasquetimudgirls@yahoo.ca, mudgirls.ca, or 250-240-0914. —EG
A HANKERING FOR ORGANICS
Feel like you’re killing a tree every time you blow your nose? The next time you have the sniffles, say ta-ta to your box of tissues and reach for a reusable hanky instead. Hankettes, a Roberts Creek-based company, offers organic cotton handkerchiefs that come in reusable boxes. They pull out just like regular tissues, but instead of tossing them in the trash once they’ve done their duty, you simply wash them and pop them back into the box. Hankettes also makes fragrance-free reusable wet wipes and cotton diapers for baby, and even Rover can step out in eco-friendly style in a fetching Hankettes bandana made of organic cotton. The web store is chock-a-block with kitchen and bath products, as well as a line of 100 per cent natural cosmetics—all made on-site in a sweatshop-free environment. Available at hankettes.com or 1-800-917-1377. —Tamara
Letkeman
HOP TO IT
Sure, Google’s all right, but there’s nothing worse than finally finding the perfect place to buy fresh organic brie—only to discover it’s located in Poughkeepsie. Wishing for an online directory of green businesses and services that’s a little more local? Jump on over to happyfrog.ca, B.C.’s brand-new healthy living and sustainability resource. Create a page where you can view, review, and share your favourites; submit and find out about upcoming events; and ask others for advice on everything from ethical investments and the local shaman to Thai massage and renewable energy. Whether you’re the new kid on the block or you’ve been around the block, happyfrog.ca is the new place to be. –EG
BETTER THAN BARBIE
Though it’s never too early to start tormenting your daughter with societal pressure to conform to unattainable stereotypes, a growing movement of parents is embracing a philosophy of play that encourages creativity beyond choosing what skimpy polyester dress goes with which plastic stilettos. Motivated by the desire to create open-ended, imaginative toys made from natural materials that invite and stimulate a child’s natural curiosities and sense of touch, Christina of Natural Pod created her first beautiful Bamboletta doll for her niece. Bamboletta dolls are made from organic cotton, stuffed with lamb’s wool, and use globally sourced, natural fabrics for their funky wardrobes (if little Madison wants a bikini, she’ll have to crochet her own). Each doll is handmade, so they are all completely original, just like the children who love them. Natural Pod also carries a wonderful array of natural games, toys, and instruments that you simply must see. Available at select retailers or naturalpod.com. —Stephanie MacDonald
FURNISHED BY NATURE
If you love the great outdoors and wish you could take it home with you, look no further than Brent Comber Originals to spruce up your living space with a natural touch. The art and design studio allows you to own your own little piece of the Pacific Northwest in the form of distinctive sculptures, coffee tables, and other furnishings, all made from fallen trees and other found materials from Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains. Specializing in “designing modern urban forms from ancient sources,” Comber’s creative team builds each funky piece by hand, one at a time. The result is one-of-a-kind, eco-conscious works of art boasting a unique Pacific Rim esthetic. Your friends will be green with envy. Available at brentcomber.com or 604-980-4467. —TL
