Seat Yourself
When a tree falls in the forest, the keen ears over at Clayoquot Crafts hear. The Tofino company uses only salvaged red cedar for its award-winning patio furniture that’s sprucing up decks and gardens all over the world. An eco-friendly collaboration between Daniel Lamarche, owner and creator, and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation people, Clayoquot has earned rave reviews for its benches, Cape Cod chairs, and outdoor dining sets. Requiring little upkeep, and built to withstand the temperamental B.C. weather, these pieces are ideal for watching the waves crash onto the beach, or stargazing in your own backyard. Order online at clayoquotcrafts.com.
—Andrea Warner
Flower Power
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something… green? Dear brides-to-be: instead of walking down the aisle clutching pesticide-laden petals, let us suggest a bouquet of local, organic, and fair-trade blooms from Amoda Custom Floral Designs. In addition to creating made-to-order flower arrangements, the Vancouver-based company also offers “living wedding favours” for your big day, including organic herb plants in biodegradable pots, seedlings, and stalks of bamboo. Amoda even uses labels of recycled paper printed with soy-based ink, and biodegradable ribbon to tie up their blossoms. Now that’s a bouquet
we’d all love to catch! Details: amodaflowers.com —Erica Gehrke
Double Trouble
Just because you’re too busy to make it home from work before meeting the gals for drinks downtown doesn’t mean there isn’t time for a costume change. Particularly when you’re wearing the shape-shifting Maria skirt by Vancouver’s own Skyler Clothing. Teamed up with a belt, button-down shirt, and demure heels, this skirt works it in the boardroom, and after five, can fly solo as a figure-flattering strapless dress, perfect with those stilettos stashed in your handbag. You’re guaranteed to look fab—and best of all, the Maria is made from soft, supple, eco-friendly beechwood fabric. Available at Skyler (1854 W. Fourth Ave.) and skyler.ca. —Jennifer Croll
Old-School Jewels
We love rummaging through thrift store vintage jewellery; turns out that BuenoStyle’s Christi York does, too. But when Christi discovers pretty-but-forgotten gems, she doesn’t see old stock: she sees sparkling new material. BuenoStyle salvages old chains, beads, and baubles, and fashions them into modern styles with a uniquely retro twist (and a sustainable backstory). We especially love the noirish intrigue of the pendants strung with delicate skeleton keys, and the bold beauty of filigree heart lockets straight from the ’60s. Adorn yourself at Fine Finds (1014 Mainland St.), Barefoot Contessa (3715 Main St.), Virgin Mary’s (1035 Commercial Dr.), and buenostyle.etsy.com. —JC
One Gift, One Cause
Scrambling to get your cupcakes in a row? Relax! Party planning just got easier—and kinder—with ECHOage, an online birthday party organizer that helps parents with all the details (including sending out electronic invitations) while providing a fun way to teach kids about the gift of giving, and protecting the environment. Here’s how it works: guests RSVP online and give a gift of money, half of which is donated to a charity of the birthday kid’s choice, while the other half goes towards one present picked out by the parents. Sustainable, responsible parties, with minimal work for the planners? Sounds like something to celebrate! Info: echoage.com —EG
So Pretty, So Practical
Plastic bags are so passé, especially when you can pack your goods into an AuMarché sturdy and sustainable shoulder-slung sensation. Each roomy tote boasts original artwork by owner Keiko Lee-Hem, whose vivid designs include fennel hearts, sassy summer bouquets, and multi-coloured asparagus. The bags are 55 per cent hemp (the rest is cotton) and fortified with reinforced handles, so you can feel confident schlepping home that 20-lb winter melon you scored in Chinatown, or several of your favourite bottles of vino on your weekly, er, monthly trip to the liquor mart. Bag yours at the Vancouver Art Gallery Shop (750 Hornby St.), or aumarchebags.com. —AW
Spa in the Raw
If life in the city is winding you up, cut loose with a weekend at Kw’o:kw’e:hala Eco Vacation Retreat. Kw’o:kw’e:hala (as in “Coquihalla”), just outside of Hope, offers up tantalizing goodies like gourmet cuisine made from fresh, organic ingredients, a relaxing “Native Healing Reiki” session, or, for the more adventurous, the bracing Eco-Spa-in-the-Raw Package, which involves heating up in a Finnish wood-fired sauna, having your skin slapped with steamed birch saplings (to improve circulation, silly), and a cold dip in the river—a perfect antidote for getting rid of any lingering urban angst. Info: 877-ECO-RETREAT, eco-retreat.com —EG
Them’s the Brakes
June is Bike Month, and what better way to celebrate than by taking the rubber to the road—especially if it’s on two wheels made just for you? Cruise down to Super Champion and put together a supa-sleek one-speed that’ll have you whizzing through the streets of Vancouver like you’ve never thought of putting on the brakes. And since Super Champion specializes in track bikes—brakeless jobbies you bring to a stop by resisting the forward motion of the pedals—you might consider picking up a helmet, too; the shop stocks some pretty aerodynamic ones by Catlike. Visit Super Champion at 245 Main St. or superchampionshop.com. —JC
