C’mon, Get Happy!
You’ve probably heard that omega-3 fatty acids are good for your heart, arteries, skin, and hair. What you may not know is that research shows supplementing your diet with omega-3s is one of the best ways to naturally improve your mental outlook. The o3mega+ joy formula by Genuine Health will keep you singing in the winter rain. It contains the fatty acid EPA, which is proven to assist in regulating mood, seasonal disorders, and depression. Genuine Health also has six other o3mega blends, targeting things like mental acuity, skin, cardiovascular health, and fitness. And for those who want an all-in-one oil blend, there’s o3mega+ 3679. The fish oils used in all formulas are derived from wild, pure sources and tested to ensure the absence of heavy metals like mercury and pesticides. The formulas come in capsule or liquid form (in natural vanilla and orange flavours), and leave no fishy aftertaste. Available at Capers and Choices, or check genuinehealth.com for a store near you.
—Joanne Will
KISS THE BIRKENSTOCK-AND-FLEECE LOOK GOODBYE
Eco-friendly fashionistas: Make room in your closet for Nicole Bridger Designs. The Vancouver-born Bridger, who recently won a B.C. Fashion Week award, earned her stripes interning in London with mother of punk fashion Vivienne Westwood before returning to her hometown to co-create the Oqoqo line. Now branching out on her own with pieces made with natural fabrics like wool and silk, Bridger’s fall series includes classic-cut bottoms paired with feminine, flirty tops that can easily transition from the office to drinks out with the girls. And Bridger has included an affirmation label in every garment, so every time you put one on you’ll be reminded of how wonderful you are—and who can resist that? Available at Lark 8th Avenue (2315 Main St.) and twigg&hottie (3671 Main St.).
—Sondi Bruner
SOLE ASYLUM
After a long day in heels, boots, skis, or wellies, there’s nothing better than a hot, fragrant footbath to rejuvenate your whole outlook on life. The Rocky Mountain Soap Company’s new Mountain Spa Foot Soak Salt is the perfect remedy for aching, chilly, tired (or stinky!) feet. With essential oils of fir needle, grapefruit, patchouli, lemongrass, and chamomile, a soak in these salts will ease your pains, improve your circulation and mood, and may even give you the vigour you need to contemplate a stiletto-heeled night on the dance floor. For a special treat, use the soak salt as a part of your Mountain Spa Foot Facial, a complete treatment to cleanse, nourish, polish, and hydrate your feet to the height of podiatric perfection. Mountain Spa Foot Soak Salt ($15.99) and Mountain Spa Foot Facial ($28) are available at the Rocky Mountain Soap Company (3057 Granville St.) or rockymountainsoap.com.
—Stephanie MacDonald
Heavenly Habitation
You think your new home could use a little celestial help, but how to entice good spirits into blessing your abode? Spirithouse, a Canadian-Thai venture with an eye for fair trade, answers your prayers with just that—a spirit house. Designed to look like mini Thai temples, spirit houses have been used by Thai people since ancient times to encourage celestial beings to take up residence within and watch over the premises without. All Spirithouse’s offerings—including its hand-carved seated Buddhas and panels bearing the Enlightened One’s likeness—are sourced in Thailand and bought directly from artisans whenever possible. Built to last with rot-resistant teak, the spirit house comes in eight different models to ensure even the most discerning ethereal house seekers will find their dream home. Info: spirithouse.ca .
—Tamara Letkeman
TAKE IT OR SLEEVE IT
Coffee addicts, take heart: now you can slip a stylish, environmentally friendly coffee cozy over your morning wakeup call. When children’s clothing designer Stacy Wolfenden found herself with some extra fabric scraps, creating these handy cozies seemed like the perfect way to get people thinking about the paper cups they toss in the garbage while promoting the benefits of hemp. Four times stronger than cotton, hemp also offers great insulation, making it just the thing to pull out of your handbag and wrap around your cup. Since fashioning the cozies last year, Wolfenden can barely keep them in stock (especially around the holidays!). Get yours at tumtumtreedesigns.com .
—SB
CALL OF THE WILD
For a little guy, Scottie the terrier has a lot on his plate. While many dogs are content with chewing on things, shedding, and lounging around, Scottie inspired his human Richard to dedicate his life to creating natural, cozy, beautiful caves for doggies to relax in. Scottie is the CEO of Scottie’s Fine Art Caves Inc., and evidently he runs a pretty tight ship overseeing the creation of the one-of-a-kind habitats, each a unique rendition of a West Coast wolf cave. They’re made with solid papier mâché and Vancouver Island-foraged wood, resulting in a rustic yet elegant canine abode, complete with interior cave drawings. And if Mr. Tinkles is getting his whiskers in a twist with jealousy, fear not: Scottie’s Tofino-based company also creates an impressive Feline Mountain. Check out these unusual indoor pet retreats at scottie.ca .
—SM
Make scents of your chakras
Stuck in a rut? Repeating a pattern that needs to be broken? Catch a whiff of the chakra synergies from Smell This! and you’ll think anything’s possible. Blended in jojoba-and-coconut carrier oils by certified aromatherapist and company owner Arline Trividic, the purse-size sticks are intended to improve the function of the chakras by anointing them with essential oil blends. The seven synergies represent the major centres on the spinal column, and are designed to enhance your yoga or meditation experience. Let your nose guide you, and you’ll be drawn to the scents that enable the chakras you need to open. And when your yoga mat has seen one too many downward dogs, spray on Warrior Wash, a natural cleanser with a cinnamon scent so heavenly it will surely bring you closer to the Divine. See and smell all products (including soap, candles, skin care, and children’s line Petit Pest) at 130-15100 Knox Way (Richmond), or purchase at smellthis.ca or 604-957-9984.
—JW
Fruit of the Loom
If you love art that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, wait until you see Vlinder Fibre Arts’ one-of-a-kind Serendipity Wraps. Third-generation weaver Vanessa Cunningham approaches each shawl as a painting, drawing inspiration from nature as well her favourite foods and folks. With an aim to lighten her carbon footprint, Cunningham uses Tencel (an eco-friendly man-made fibre), bamboo, and soy fibres, which she hand-dyes with natural dyes before spinning them by hand and weaving them—you guessed it—by hand. For a more vintage look, Cunningham also weaves in wool, cotton, or linen passed down from her Dutch oma, who collected fibres in the ’50s and ’60s. An eco-friendly, hands-on approach that promises to swathe you in style, Serendipity Wraps will have you looking ultra-cool while keeping you toasty warm. Available at Starfire Studio (6607 Royal Ave., West Vancouver), starfireattheferries.com .
—TL
